Myth into dance: Martha Graham’s interpretation of the classical tradition

Abstract

As early as 1928, Martha Graham, the renowned dancer, choreographer and modern dance innovator, embarked on a personal journey through the heritage of Classical Greek culture. This journey led to the creation of seventeen dances that I term the “Greek Cycle.” By reading Graham’s original interpretations and analyzing the unique composition of her dance language and performances, I demonstrate how Graham chose ancient myths and tragedies as the raw material from which to portray women from a new perspective and in a new art form, theatrical dance. I further argue that the “Greek Cycle” definitely places Graham among the modern theatre’s great interpreters of the Classical Tradition.