Martha Graham

Overview

Martha Graham born Pittsburgh, PA May 11, 1894 (d. 1991). "Mother of Modern Dance." Her one political production was the three-part anti-war piece "Chronicle," 1936. The first segment "Spectre 1914" recalls the blood of World War I; next, "Steps in the Street" shows the grief; the last section "Prelude to Action" demonstrates hopeful resistance to war.

Quotations

"Chronicle does not attempt to show the actualities of war; rather does it, by evoking war's images, set forth the fateful prelude to war, portray the devastation of spirit which it leaves in its wake, and suggest an answer." (original program notes, 1936; photo Wikipedia)