Martha Graham Company Dances Oct. 24

By Lanita Withers Goins , University Relations

Contact: (336) 334-3890

Posted 10-7-09

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The dramatic movements of the oldest and most celebrated contemporary dance company in America will grace the Aycock Auditorium stage when the Martha Graham Dance Company performs Oct. 24.

The event is the second in the 2009-10 University Concert & Lecture Series. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $28-35 and may be purchased by calling the University Box Office at (336) 334-4849 or online at boxoffice.uncg.edu.

Founded in 1926 by dancer and choreographer Martha Graham, the Martha Graham Dance Company has provided a training ground for some of modern dance's most illustrious performers and choreographers. Since its inception, the company has performed for audiences in over 50 countries across the globe and danced in some of the world’s most renowned performance halls, including the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, the Paris Opera House, Covent Garden and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Once described by a Washington Post writer as “one of the seven wonders of the artistic universe,” the Martha Graham Company has also produced several award-winning films broadcast on PBS and around the world. The troupe’s founder and namesake died in 1991 at age 96. She was named one of “The Time 100,” Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century for her contributions to dance.

UNCG is offering additional opportunities to examine and appreciate Graham’s work this year. The Martha Graham Company’s artistic director, Janet Eilber, will deliver the annual Lawther Lecture at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 in the UNCG Dance Theater. The public is invited to the lecture at no charge.

Duane Cyrus, an assistant professor of dance at UNCG and former member of the company, will stage a performance of Graham’s landmark work “Steps in the Street” during the spring semester. The work is supported by a $15,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and university matching funds.

For more information, visit ucls.uncg.edu or http://marthagraham.org.