A century after redefining the language of movement, the Martha Graham Dance Company arrives in Athens with The First and The Future-a program that bridges one of modern dance’s most influential legacies with a bold, forward-looking vision. Presented as part of the company’s global centennial tour, the tribute unfolds at the Christos Lambrakis Hall from November 20 to 23.
The Legacy of Martha Graham
Founded in 1926, the company is the oldest continuously operating modern dance troupe in the United States. It became Martha Graham’s creative laboratory, a place where she could transform raw physicality and psychological depth into a groundbreaking new vocabulary. Today, Graham’s technique-rooted in contraction and release, emotional truth, and sculptural precision-remains a cornerstone of contemporary dance training worldwide.
Acclaimed throughout her life as the “Dancer of the Century” and honored as a “National Treasure,” Graham belongs to the pantheon of artists who reshaped their fields. Her impact on dance has often been likened to Picasso’s on painting or Stravinsky’s on music. Her influence reverberates through the work of countless major choreographers, including Alvin Ailey, Merce Cunningham, Twyla Tharp, and William Forsythe.
A Dialogue Across Time
Under the artistic direction of Janet Eilber, The First and The Future highlights Graham’s enduring power while inviting audiences to experience how her ideas continue to spark new creation. Athens audiences will encounter a program that pairs two of Graham’s landmark works with a contemporary piece by acclaimed choreographer Hofesh Shechter.
Programme Highlights
- CHRONICLE (1936): A fiercely expressive work created in response to the rise of fascism in Europe, Chronicle channels collective grief and resistance through striking, sculptural movement. Set to the music of Wallingford Riegger, it remains one of Graham’s most politically resonant compositions.
- ERRAND INTO THE MAZE (1947): Inspired by the myth of the Minotaur, this psychological duet explores fear and triumph with a signature Graham blend of mythic archetypes and personal struggle. With music by Gian Carlo Menotti, it remains a powerful example of the choreographer’s fascination with ancient Greek drama and myth.
- CAVE (2022): A vigorous, pulsing work choreographed by Hofesh Shechter, Cave represents the next chapter in the company’s artistic evolution. Propelled by Shechter’s rhythmic score and visceral movement language, the piece creates a dynamic counterpoint to Graham’s historic works.
A Conversation with the Artists
Following the performance on Thursday, November 20, audiences are invited to remain in the hall for a 30-minute conversation featuring Artistic Director Janet Eilber, two company dancers, and Dr. Nina Papathanasopoulou, a scholar specializing in Graham’s relationship with ancient Greece. Together, they will reflect on the company’s hundred-year history, Graham’s lifelong dialogue with classical antiquity, and the future of modern dance.
The discussion is open to all attendees wishing to learn more about the company’s creative legacy and meet its artists.
