Marking the 100th anniversary of Martha Graham Dance Company in 2026, the legendary modern dance company continues its three-year Graham100 tour with a celebratory mixed repertory stop at Northrop. Exemplifying its founder’s timeless and uniquely American style of dance, this once-in-a-lifetime performance honors the theme American Legacies.
The stunning “protest set to banjo” piece (The New York Times) We the People (2024) by Jamar Roberts with music by Rhiannon Giddens; a new work by two-time Bessie Award winner Hope Boykin; and the inimitable Martha Graham classic Appalachian Spring, with music by Aaron Copland; and “Steps in the Street” from Graham’s Chronicle, performed by dancers in the University of Minnesota dance program, round out the repertoire. Known as one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century, Martha Graham’s groundbreaking legacy has inspired generations of artists and continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Top image: Martha Graham Dance Company in Appalachian Spring. Photo © Melissa Sherwood.
Articles & More
“Contraction and release, the core of Graham technique, which she called a dramatization of breathing, is constitutional in We the People.”—The New York Times
“Roberts’s dance … isn’t a hoedown. It’s a protest, dressed in denim.”—The New York Times
“The company named for the indisputable mother of modern dance delivered a knockout program that will take them around the world, where they will continue to spread the still-relevant, always revelatory gospel of Graham.”—Fjord Review
“[Jamar Roberts’] work captures the spirit of our age, full of doubt, pain, but also grace.”—Dance Magazine
“A successful partnership to say the least, this collaboration is a brilliant nod to American folk music.”—The Dance Enthusiast
“The dancers are formidable performers, beautifully trained and focused like lasers.”—LA Dance Chronicle
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This will be Martha Graham Dance Company’s ninth presentation by Northrop; the last was in Apr 2022.
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Event Information
- Seating: Ticket Required
- Performance Begins: 7:30 pm
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Acknowledgments
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
