Media Contact: Cari Hatcher
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chatcher@umn.edu
Northrop Presents Martha Graham Dance Company
2014//15 Northrop Season
U of M dance students take part in 3 week Martha Graham residency; will perform Apr 10-11
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Minneapolis, MN (Mar 25, 2015) – Northrop at the University of Minnesota presents the Martha Graham
Dance Company on Fri, Apr 10 and Sat, Apr 11 at 8:00 pm. The renowned company performs two
evenings of different programming, including Graham’s rarely performed Rite of Spring, and works by
international choreographers Nacho Duato and Andonis Foniandakis. U of M student dancers will
perform Graham’s Panorama both nights as the culmination of an extended teaching residency. Each
evening ends with Northrop’s announcement of its 2015-16 season, and a reception that follows.
Northrop Presents
Martha Graham Dance Company
Fri, Apr 10 & Sat, Apr 11, 8:00 pm
Carlson Family Stage
Friday
Prelude and Revolt (including Montage of Three Denishawn-Style Solos, Serenata Morisca, Lamentation,
and Panorama with U of M students)
Lamentation Variations
The Rite of Spring
Saturday
Diversion of Angels
Panorama (with U of M students)
Rust (choreography by Nacho Duato)
Errand Into the Maze
Echo (choreography by Andonis Foniadakis)
More information on many of the repertory pieces can be found here.
A sneak peek video of the evening’s program is available on here.
It has been said that Martha Graham is to dance as Picasso is to art. A true pioneer, Graham’s
groundbreaking technique grew from her experimentation with the movements of contraction and
release. Her sharp, angular, and direct movements conveyed raw emotion, and were a dramatic
departure from the predominant style of the time.
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Graham collaborated with, and commissioned work from, many of the leading visual artists, musicians,
and designers of her day, including sculptor Isamu Noguchi and composers Aaron Copland, Samuel
Barber, and Gian Carlo Menotti.
It was recently announced that Martha Graham will be a 2015 inductee into the Women’s Hall of Fame.
Although Graham passed away in 1991, her legacy continues to play a vital and influential role in
shaping modern dance. She will be one of only two individuals inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame
posthumously.
Martha Graham Dance Company & U of M Department of Theatre Arts & Dance Residency
This spring, the Martha Graham Dance Company and Northrop Presents partnered with the U of M’s
Department of Theatre Arts and Dance to create an extended teaching residency for dance students.
Former Graham dancer and master teacher Susan Kikuchi has spent time auditioning students, and
setting Graham’s classic work Panorama on more than 30 participants. In addition to rehearsals six days
a week, Ms. Kikuchi has been teaching classes in Graham technique, and participating in question and
answer sessions about her career in professional dance.
Through this unique partnership, the dance students will have the full experience of participating as
professional dancers alongside the Graham company, with costume fittings, assigned dressing rooms,
and technical rehearsals. Their performances on Fri, Apr 10 and Sat, Apr 11 will be the final event in this
unparalleled learning opportunity.
TICKETS
Single tickets: $64, $54, $44.
Rush Tickets
$10 for U of M Students
$20 for U of M Staff/Faculty
$20 General Student/Educators
Rush tickets can be purchased in person only at the Northrop box offices beginning at 10:00 am prior to
the evening performance. Receive two discounted tickets per qualifying person with appropriate I.D.
Rush tickets are based on availability.
Early rush for U of M students! Get $10 tickets by using promo code ‘GopherArts’ when buying tickets
online or in person.
Related Events:
Northrop Presents
Film Screening: Martha Graham: In Performance
Thu, Apr 2, 6:00 pm
Best Buy Theater
Free and open to the public
This film contains three complete historic performances (A Dancer’s World, Night Journey, and
Appalachian Spring) by Martha Graham filmed at the peak of her career.
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Northrop Presents
Martha Graham Dance Company Performance Preview
Fri, Apr 10 & Sat, Apr 11, 6:45 -7:30 pm
Best Buy Theater
Free and open to the public
Gain insight into the performance at an in-depth conversation about the company and evening’s
performance with Martha Graham Dance Company Artistic Director, Janet Eilber.
NORTHROP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Northrop is an epicenter of discovery and transformation that connects the University of
Minnesota and communities beyond by celebrating innovation in the arts, performance, and
academics.
This performance is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board
Operating Support grant, thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund,
and a grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation Minnesota. It is also supported in part by an award from
the National Endowment for the Arts, Art Works.
The presentation of Martha Graham Dance Company was made possible by the New England
Foundation for the Arts' National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable
Foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, with additional support from the National
Endowment for the Arts.
The Martha Graham Residency activities were made possible by the Sage Cowles Land Grant
Chair visiting artist program in Dance.
Artists and programs subject to change.
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
Press photos at: http://www.northrop.umn.edu/media/event-photos
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