March 22, 2024 | 7:30 PM
Post-Show Artist Q&A with moderator Anne Van Gelder
Alice Jepson Theatre
UNIVERSITY of RICHMOND
MODLIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS
THIS ENGAGEMENT OF
IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF
Louis S. Booth Arts Fund
E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter
Foundation
Dewitt Fund for the Arts
THANKS TO OUR 2023 -2024 MODLIN ARTS PRESENTS SEASON SPONSORS & COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Cultural Affairs Committee
Department of Music, University of Richmond
A. Dale Mayo Fund
Virginia B. Modlin Endowment
H. Gerald Quigg Arts Endowment
Clinton Webb Fund
Norman and Gay Leahy
William and Pamela O’Connor
Welcome
At Modlin Center for the Arts, we are committed to providing the University of Richmond campus and our broader community with the best in diverse, thought-provoking, and captivating performances. Each season is cultivated with our attention to showcasing artists who provide insight into our shared humanity. At the University of Richmond, we pledge to you—our patrons and partners, on campus and in our region—that the arts will provide broad access to rich voices, creative passion, and unforgettable experiences.
Modlin is more than our presenting series. We operate as the home for our academic partners within the School of Arts & Sciences, providing spaces for conversation, connection, and collaboration across disciplines. Explore the full range of opportunities from the Department of Music, Department of Theatre & Dance, and University Museums. Don’t miss the extensive calendar of FREE concerts, performances, and exhibits, and make plans to join us.
I hope that you will also consider a contribution to the Modlin Center for the Arts. Your backing is a vital endorsement of the value that Modlin contributes to our cultural landscape. We are deeply grateful to have you include Modlin in your cultural investments. Thank you for being a valued member of our community of the arts. I look forward to seeing you at Modlin performances in 2023-24 and to hearing what moves you this year!
Paul Brohan, Executive Director
P Ticketed: Paid
F Free: Tickets/Registration Required
F Free: No Tickets/Registration Required
Modlin Arts Presents
Department of Theatre and Dance
Department of Music
University Museums
Tucker Boatwright Festival
AUGUST 2023
Queer Pioneers: LGBTQ+ History Through the Photographs of Robert Giard
On view 28 Aug - 8 Dec F
Making Your Mark: Prints and Drawings from the Hechinger Collection
On view 28 Aug - 8 Dec F
Crystals: Minerals from the Collection
On view through 4 May F
Therefore I Am: Portraits from the Joel and Lila Harnett Print Study Center
On view through 30 Jun F
SEPTEMBER
David Esleck Trio
Thu 7 Sep 7:30pm F
Marty Stuart
Thu 14 Sep 7:30pm P
Volcano Theatre, Book of Life
Sat 23 Sep 7:30pm P
We All Break & Leyla McCalla
Thu 28 Sep 7:30pm P
Family Weekend Concert
Fri 29 Sep 7:30pm F
Rhiannon Giddens & The Legendary Ingramettes
Sun 1 Oct 7pm P
White Pearl
Thu-Sat 5-7 Oct 7:30pm
Sun 8 Oct 2pm F
Company SBB // Stephanie Batten Bland, Embarqued: Stories of Soil
Fri Oct 6 7:30pm P
The Acting Company, Odyssey
Wed 11 Oct 7:30pm P
Sankai Juku, KŌSA–between two mirrors
Thu 19 Oct 7:30pm P
Davison Plays Davison
Fri 20 Oct 7:30pm F
13th Annual Celebration of Dance @ UR!
Sat 21 Oct 7:30pm F
Family Arts Day:
Barefoot Puppet Theatre, New Squid on the Block
Sun 22 Oct 1pm-4pm P
Kenny Barron Voyage Trio
Wed 25 Oct 7:30pm P
Inon Barnatan, Alisa Weilerstein & James Ehnes, Swan Song, The Schubert Project
Fri 27 Oct 7:30pm P
Schola Cantorum & Women’s Chorale
Sun 29 Oct 3pm F
ShoutHouse
Fri 3 Nov 7:30pm P
Jazz & Contemporary Combos
Wed 8 Nov 7:30pm F
J’Nai Bridges, Mezzo-Soprano
Thu 9 Nov 7:30pm P
Terence Blanchard, Fire Shut Up in My Bones
Sun 12 Nov 7:30pm P
Sky Hopinka: Masterclass and Film Screening
Mon-Wed 13–15 Nov F
Popular Music Ensemble
Tue 14 Nov 7:30pm F
Jazz Ensembles: Little Big Band with Black & White
Wed 15 Nov 7:30pm F
Kiara Vigil: Keynote Lecture
Thu 16 Nov 4:30pm F
Fairview
Thu-Sat 16-18 Nov 7:30pm
Sat 18 - Sun 19 Nov 2pm F
Global Sounds
Sun 19 Nov 3pm F
UR Wind Ensemble
Mon 20 Nov 7:30pm F
Canadian Brass, Holiday Show
Wed 29 Nov 7:30pm P
50th Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols
Sun 3 Dec 5pm, 8pm F
Chamber Ensembles
Mon 4 Dec 7:30pm F
University Symphony Orchestra Wed 6 Dec 7:30pm F
P Ticketed: Paid
F Free: Tickets/Registration Required
F Free: No Tickets/Registration Required
Modlin Arts Presents
Department of Theatre and Dance
Department of Music
University Museums
Tucker Boatwright Festival
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Max Roach Centennial
Thu 25 Jan 7:30pm P
Richard Becker Piano Concert
Wed 31 Jan 7:30pm F
Hamid Rahmanian, Song of the North
Fri 2 Feb 7:30pm P
Paul Hanson Piano Concert
Sun 4 Feb 3pm F
Layale Chaker & Sarafand, with Kinan Azmeh
Fri 16 Feb 7:30pm P
Emily Riggs, soprano
Sun 18 Feb 3:00 F
Zuill Bailey, Cello
Wed 28 Feb 7:30pm P
Yiman Wang: Keynote Lecture
Tue 20 Feb 12pm F
Alexa Joubin: Keynote Lecture
Thu 22 Feb 12pm F
MOVING | BODIES
BODIES | MOVING
University Dancers
39th Annual Concert
Fri-Sat 1-2 Mar 7:30pm
Sun 3 Mar 2pm
Doris Wylee-Becker
Piano Concert
Sun 3 Mar 3pm F
Richmond Piano Trio
Mon 4 Mar 7:30pm F
Martha Graham
Dance Company
Fri 22 Mar 7:30pm P
Brad Mehldau, Piano P
Sun 24 Mar 7:30pm
Chris Thile, Mandolin
Wed 27 Mar 7:30pm P
Emanuel Ax, Piano
Fri 5 Apr 7:30pm P
UR Wind Ensemble
Mon 8 Apr 7:30pm F
UR Jazz & Contemporary Combos
Thu 11 Apr 7:30pm F
Natu Camara
Fri 12 Apr 7:30pm P
Schola Cantorum & Women’s Chorale
Sun 14 Apr 3pm F
Popular Music Ensemble
Tue 16 Apr 7:30pm F
UR Symphony Orchestra
Wed 17 Apr 7:30pm F
Everybody
18-20 Apr 7:30pm 21 Apr 2pm F
Danish String Quartet
Sat 20 Apr 7:30pm P
Global Sounds
Sun 21 Apr 3pm F
UR Chamber Ensembles
Mon 22 Apr 7:30pm F
Cuban Spectacular
Thu 25 Apr 7:30pm F
Artistic Director Executive Director
Janet Eilber LaRue Allen
The Company
Lloyd Knight Xin Ying Leslie Andrea Williams Anne Souder
Laurel Dalley Smith So Young An Marzia Memoli Jacob Larsen
Alessio Crognale-Roberts Richard Villaverde Devin Loh
Antonio Leone Meagan King Ane Arrieta Zachary Jeppsen
Matthew Spangler Amanda Moreira Justin Valentine Jai Perez
Rehearsal Director
Ben Schultz
Major support for the Martha Graham Dance Company is provided by Howard Gilman Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council
New York State Council on the Arts
with the support of the New York State Legislature
The Artists employed in this production are members of the American Guild of Musical Artists AFL-CIO.
In the tradition of its founder, the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance remains committed to being a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist organization, and will honor this pledge through its ongoing practices, policies and behaviors.
Copyright to all Martha Graham dances presented held by the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance, Inc. All rights reserved.
Tonight’s performance will run approximately 1 hour 50 minutes, including intermission.
Choreography by Martha Graham
Music by Igor Stravinsky†
Costumes by Pilar Limosner after Martha Graham and Halston
New Production Concept by Janet Eilber
Lighting by Solomon Weisbard
Scenery by Edward T. Morris
Projection Design by Paul Lieber
Projection Design Associates: Erik Pearson and Olivia Sebesky
Premiere: February 28, 1984, New York State Theater, New York City
The Chosen One Marzia Memoli
The Shaman Lloyd Knight
So Young An Ane Arrieta Laurel Dalley Smith Meagan King
Amanda Moreira Anne Souder Leslie Andrea Williams Xin Ying
Alessio Crognale-Roberts Zachary Jeppsen Jacob Larsen Antonio Leone
Jai Perez Matthew Spangler Justin Valentine Richard Villaverde
Commissioned by Halston.
Special thanks: Wendall Harrington, Yale School of Drama, Jim Testa and Showsage
†Used by arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., publisher and copyright owner.
Choreography by Jamar Roberts
Music by Rhiannon Giddens
Arranged by Gabe Witcher
Costume Design by Karen Young
Lighting Design by Yi-Chung Chen
So Young An Ane Arrieta Alessio Crognale-Roberts
Laurel Dalley Smith Meagan King Lloyd Knight
Jacob Larsen Anne Souder Richard Villaverde Leslie Andrea Williams
We the People was made possible with a significant commissioning grant from The O’Donnell-Green Music and Dance Foundation.
This production was also made possible by the 92nd Street Y, as part of 92NY’s 150th anniversary celebration, in honor and continued support of Martha Graham’s rich 92NY legacy.
Production support was provided by University of Michigan.
Choreography by Martha Graham
Music by Scott Joplin†
Costumes by Calvin Klein
Lighting by David Finley
Premiere: October 2, 1990, City Center Theater, New York City
Martha Graham, dubbed “Mirthless Martha” by her musical director Louis Horst, would, when frustrated by a new dance, turn and say, “Oh, Louis, play me the Maple Leaf Rag” – the only thing that would cheer her.
Laurel Dalley Smith Richard Villaverde Leslie Andrea Williams
So Young An Ane Arrieta Alessio Crognale-Roberts Zachary Jeppsen
Meagan King Lloyd Knight Jacob Larsen Antonio Leone
Marzia Memoli Amanda Moreira Anne Souder
Matthew Spangler Justin Valentine Xin Ying
†Elite Syncopations (1902), Bethena (1905), and Maple Leaf Rag (1899), arranged by Chris Landriau
Graham’s connection to The Rite of Spring began in 1930 when she was propelled into international fame starring in the first American production of the work choreographed by Léonide Massine and conducted by Leopold Stokowski. In 1984, she decided to return to the score and create her own choreography for the Rite. The primal physical expression that is the hallmark of the Graham style has a deep connection with the primitive essences evoked in Stravinsky’s revolutionary score. The community in Graham’s Rite is defined through the complex, yet clear geometric patterns for the group that harken back to her ground-breaking works from the 1930s such as Primitive Mysteries and Dark Meadow. The organized structure for the group is a calm, somewhat disturbing, counterpoint to the violence of the story and vigorous physicality of the movement. Her choreography for the work, created over fifty years after she starred as the Chosen One for Massine, bookends her long creative career. Elements of her many theatrical innovations are distilled into this masterwork, one of her last.
Premiered in February 2024, this dance of 21st Century Americana references and reverberates with our history. Its new score by Rhiannon
Giddens, as arranged by Gabe Witcher, offers the historic sound of American folk music. While the choreography by Jamar Roberts is very much of today and in counterpoint to the music. The choreographer has said, “We the People is equal parts protest and lament, speculating on the ways in which America does not always live up to its promise. Against the backdrop of traditional American music, We the People hopes to serve as a reminder that the power for collective change belongs to the people.”
Maple Leaf Rag premiered in 1990 at the City Center Theater in New York City. The last complete ballet to be choreographed by Martha Graham, the dance takes a sly look at the foibles of a contemporary choreographer (such as Graham herself) and gently mocks the plight of the artist in the throes of creation. With costumes by fashion designer Calvin Klein and a score featuring the music of Scott Joplin, the dance was immediately a favorite for Graham audiences. A ridiculous boomerang-shaped barre dominates the stage, the perfect prop for the cast of unruly characters that inhabit this ballet. Like figments of the imagination, these dancers enter and exit at will in a parody of movement themes drawn from classic Graham repertory.
Maple Leaf Rag is Martha Graham’s humorous and loving tribute to the choreographic muse. It is also a fond tribute to the Scott Joplin music of her youth and to her long association with Louis Horst, her one-time mentor and lover. “Louis,” she says at the very beginning of the dance, “play me the Maple Leaf Rag.”
PHOTO CREDIT: BRIGID PIERCE
Martha Graham has had a deep and lasting impact on American art and culture. She single-handedly defined contemporary dance as a uniquely American art form, which the nation has in turn shared with the world. Crossing artistic boundaries, she collaborated with and commissioned work from the leading visual artists, musicians, and designers of her day, including sculptor Isamu Noguchi and composers Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, and Gian Carlo Menotti.
Graham’s groundbreaking style grew from her experimentation with the elemental movements of contraction and release. By focusing on the basic activities of the human form, she enlivened the body with raw, electric emotion. The sharp, angular, and direct movements of her technique were a dramatic departure from the predominant style of the time.
Graham influenced generations of choreographers that included Merce Cunningham, Paul Taylor, and Twyla Tharp, altering the scope of dance. Classical ballet dancers Margot Fonteyn, Rudolf Nureyev, and Mikhail Baryshnikov sought her out to broaden their artistry. Artists of all genres were eager to study and work with Graham—she taught actors including Bette Davis, Kirk Douglas, Madonna, Liza Minnelli, Gregory Peck, Tony Randall, Eli Wallach, Anne Jackson, and Joanne Woodward to utilize their bodies as expressive instruments.
During her long and illustrious career, Graham created 181 dance compositions. During the Bicentennial she was granted the United States’ highest civilian honor, The Medal of Freedom. In 1998, TIME Magazine named her the “Dancer of the Century.” The first dancer to perform at the White House and to act as a cultural ambassador abroad, she captured the spirit of a nation. “No artist is ahead of his time,” she said. “He is his time. It is just that the others are behind the time.”
The Martha Graham Dance Company has been a leader in the evolving art form of modern dance since its founding in 1926. It is both the oldest dance company in the United States and the oldest integrated dance company.
Today, the Company is embracing a new programming vision that showcases masterpieces by Graham alongside newly commissioned works by contemporary artists. With programs that unite the work of choreographers across time within a rich historical and thematic narrative, the Company is actively working to create new platforms for contemporary dance and multiple points of access for audiences.
Since its inception, the Martha Graham Dance Company has received international acclaim from audiences in more than 50 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The Company has performed at the Metropolitan Opera House, Carnegie Hall, the Paris Opera House, Covent Garden, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, as well as at the base of the Great Pyramids in Egypt and in the ancient Odeon of Herodes Atticus theater on the Acropolis in Athens. In addition, the Company has also produced several award-winning films broadcast on PBS and around the world.
Though Martha Graham herself is the best-known alumna of her company, the Company has provided a training ground for some of modern dance’s most celebrated performers and choreographers. Former members of the Company include Merce Cunningham, Erick Hawkins, Paul Taylor, John Butler and Glen Tetley. Among celebrities who have joined the Company in performance are Mikhail Baryshnikov, Margot Fonteyn, Rudolf Nureyev, Maya Plisetskaya, Tiler Peck, Misty Copeland, Herman Cornejo and Aurelie Dupont.
In recent years, the Company has challenged expectations and experimented with a wide range of offerings beyond its mainstage performances. It has created a series of intimate in-studio events, forged unusual creative partnerships with the likes of SITI Company, Performa, the New Museum, Barney’s, and Siracusa’s Greek Theater Festival (to name a few); created substantial digital offerings with Google Arts and Culture, YouTube, and Cennarium; and created a model for reaching new audiences through social media. The astonishing list of artists who have created works for the Graham dancers in the last decade reads like a catalog of must-see choreographers:
Kyle Abraham, Aszure Barton, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Lucinda Childs, Marie Chouinard, Michelle Dorrance, Nacho Duato, Mats Ek, Andonis Foniadakis, Liz Gerring, Larry Keigwin, Michael Kliën, Pontus Lidberg, Lil Buck, Lar Lubovitch, Josie Moseley, Richard Move, Bulareyaung Pagarlava, Annie-B Parson, Yvonne Rainer, Sonya Tayeh, Doug Varone, Luca Vegetti, Gwen Welliver and Robert Wilson.
The current company dancers hail from around the world and, while grounded in their Graham core training, can also slip into the style of contemporary choreographers like a second skin, bringing technical brilliance and artistic nuance to all they do -- from brand new works to Graham classics and those from early pioneers such as Isadora Duncan, Jane Dudley, Anna Sokolow, and Mary Wigman. “Some of the most
skilled and powerful dancers you can ever hope to see,” according to the Washington Post last year. “One of the great companies of the world,” says The New York Times, while Los Angeles Times notes, “They seem able to do anything, and to make it look easy as well as poetic.”
JANET EILBER (Artistic Director) has been the Company’s artistic director since 2005. Her direction has focused on creating new forms of audience access to Martha Graham’s masterworks. These initiatives include contextual programming, educational and community partnerships, use of new media, commissions from today’s top choreographers and creative events such as the Lamentation Variations. Earlier in her career, Ms. Eilber worked closely with Martha Graham. She danced many of Graham’s greatest roles, had roles created for her by Graham, and was directed by Graham in most of the major roles of the repertory. She soloed at the White House, was partnered by Rudolf Nureyev, starred in three segments of Dance in America, and has since taught, lectured, and directed Graham ballets internationally. Apart from her work with Graham, Ms. Eilber has performed in films, on television, and on Broadway directed by such greats as Agnes de Mille and Bob Fosse and has received four Lester Horton Awards for her reconstruction and performance of seminal American modern dance. She has served as Director of Arts Education for the Dana Foundation, guiding the Foundation’s support for Teaching Artist training and contributing regularly to its arts education publications. Ms. Eilber is a Trustee Emeritus of the Interlochen Center for the Arts and was recently honored with a Doctorate of Fine Arts from the Juilliard School. She is married to screenwriter/director John Warren, with whom she has two daughters, Madeline and Eva.
BEN SCHULTZ (Rehearsal Director) joined the Company in 2009 and serves as rehearsal director for the company. He’s danced lead roles including King Hades in Clytemnestra, Jason in Cave of the Heart, and Shaman in The Rite Of Spring. He premiered Martha Graham’s work in Russia performing Errand into the Maze with prima ballerina Diana Vishneva at the Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg. He’s also performed with Buglisi Dance Theater, Hannah Kahn Dance Company, and The Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble. Currently he’s on staff at both The Martha Graham School and The Alvin Ailey School teaching the Martha Graham technique for pre professional students and divisions.
LLOYD KNIGHT joined the Company in 2005 and performs the major male roles of the Graham repertory including in Appalachian Spring, Embattled Garden, Night Journey and many others. Dance Magazine named him one of the “Top 25 Dancers to Watch” in 2010 and one of the best performers of 2015. Mr. Knight has starred with ballet greats Wendy Whelan and Misty Copeland in signature Graham duets and has had roles created for him by such renowned artists as Nacho Duato and Pam Tanowitz. He is currently a principal guest artist for The Royal Ballet of Flanders directed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Born in England and raised in Miami, he trained at Miami Conservatory of Ballet and New World School of the Arts.
XIN YING joined the Company in 2011 and performs many of Martha Graham’s own roles including in Herodiade, Errand into the Maze, Chronicle, Lamentation, Deep Song, and Cave of the Heart. Ms. Xin has also danced solo roles in Clytemnestra and Diversion of Angels. She has been featured in works created for the Company by Nacho Duato, Pontus Lidberg, Annie-B Parson, Kyle Abraham, Liz Gerring, Maxine Doyle and Bobbi Jene Smith. Ms. Xin also starred in the Chinese production Dreams and has been commissioned to create new choreography for Co•Lab Dance. Her Instagram account, on which she posts her own improvisations, has thousands of followers.
LESLIE ANDREA WILLIAMS grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ms. Williams performs numerous featured roles in iconic Graham ballets. Some of her most notable roles have been dancing the solo Deep Song, and performing as the lead in Chronicle. Her performance in Chronicle earned her a naming in The New York Times “Best Dance of 2019” list. Ms. Williams’s has also been profiled in Dance Magazine, Teen Vogue, Psycology Today, and Marie Claire Taiwan. Her work has been described in reviews as “hypnotic” and “larger than life.” Ms. Williams is graduate of the Julliard School.
ANNE SOUDER joined the Company in 2015 and performs Martha Graham’s own roles in Dark Meadow Suite, Chronicle, Deep Song, and Ekstasis. Roles have also been created for her by such luminaries as Marie Chouinard, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Maxine Doyle and Bobbi Jene Smith. Ms. Souder began her training in Maryville, TN, and graduated from the Ailey/Fordham BFA program with a double major in Dance and Theology while performing works by Alvin Ailey, Ron K. Brown, and more. She was also a member of Graham 2 and awarded a Dizzy Feet Foundation scholarship.
LAUREL DALLEY SMITH joined the Company in 2015. Performing principal roles in Appalachian Spring, Steps in the Street, Errand into the Maze, Cave of the Heart and Diversion of Angels. Also Creating new roles with contemporary choreographers Hofesh Schechter, Pam Tanowitz, Bobbi Jene Smith, Annie B Parsons amongst others. Laurel guests internationally with award winning LA/UK based Yorke Dance Project, performing work created on her by Yolande Yorke Edgell and Sir Robert Cohan. Laurel recently created the role of Ariadne in Deborah Warner’s World premiere of ‘Minotaur, choreography by Kim Brandstrup.
SO YOUNG AN, from S. Korea, joined the Company in 2016 and dances featured roles in Graham ballets as well as new works. Ms. An is the recipient of the International Arts Award and the Grand Prize at the Korea National Ballet Grand Prix. She has danced with Korean National Ballet Company, Seoul Performing Arts Company and Buglisi Dance Theatre. She has also performed works by Yuri Grigorovich, JeanChristophe Maillot, Mats Ek, Patricia Ruanne and Samantha Dunster.
MARZIA MEMOLI from Palermo, Italy, joined the Company in 2016 and performs lead roles in Graham’s El Penitente, “Steps in the Street”, “Satyric Festival Song” and works by Elisa Monte, Hofesh Shechter, Bobbi Jean Smith, Lar Lubovitch, Maxine Doyle, Andrea Miller and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. In 2018 Dance Spirit said she “may be the...Company’s newest dancer, but her classical lines and easy grace
are already turning heads”. She performs for Twyla Tharp Dance, in “In the Upper Room” and “Nine Sinatra Songs”. She graduated from Bejart’s school, where she performed with the Bejart Ballet Lausanne.
JACOB LARSEN joined the Company in 2016 and performs many Martha Graham classics. He performs contemporary works by Sir Robert Cohen, Jenn Freeman, Pontus Lidberg, Andrea Miller, Hofesh Shector, Sonya Tayeh, Pam Tanowitz, and Yin Yue. Mr. Larsen received his BFA from Marymount Manhattan College performing works by Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, Aszure Barton and more. He can also be seen on Hulu’s “Up Here” choreographed by Sonya Tayeh. Follow @jacoblarsn
ALESSIO CROGNALE-ROBERTS from Abruzzo, Italy, joined the Company in 2017 and dances featured roles in Graham’s Errand into the Maze, Embattled Garden, Every Soul is a Circus and Diversion of Angels as the Man in White as well as in works by Pontus Lidberg, Michelle Dorrance, Larry Kegwin, Bulareyaung Pagarlava, Micaela Taylor, Juliano Nunes, Sonya Tayeh, Hofesh Shechter, among others. Mr. Crognale-Roberts graduated with high honors from Centro Studio Coreografici Teatro Carcano in Milan and from the Graham School where he was a member of Graham 2.
RICHARD VILLAVERDE born and raised in Miami, FL, began dancing at the age of 13, privately coached by Maria Eugenia Lorenzo. Mr. Villaverde is a New World School of the Arts graduate and received his B.F.A from University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. Notably, he was a part of Arsenale della Danza 2012 at La Biennale de Venezia under the direction of Ismael Ivo. He later joined BalletX (2012-2021) where he was featured in works by Matthew Neenan, Dwight Rodan, Nicolo Fonte, Penny Saunders, Cayetano Soto, Trey McIntyre, Jodie Gates, and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. He performed at the Vail International Dance Festival, Ballet Sun Valley, Belgrade Dance Festival as well as at Jacob’s Pillow.
DEVIN LOH, from Fanwood, NJ, holds a BFA from the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College, SUNY. She was named a recipient of the Bert Terborgh Award upon graduation for Leadership and Excellence in Dance. Shortly after, Ms. Loh continued her performance and pedagogical studies at the Martha Graham School, and performed with Graham 2. This is her first season with the Company.
ANTONIO LEONE (New Dancer) is from Salerno.
In 2021, Mr. Leone enrolled in the Martha Graham School and joined the Graham 2 Company. His favorite Graham works pieces are Dark Meadow, Acts of Light and Appalachian Spring Suite. Leone studied at the Rudra Bejart School in Switzerland, where he performed works by Maurice Béjart, Michel Gascard, Julio Arozarena, Tancredo Tavarez, and others.
MEAGAN KING (New Dancer) of Brooklyn, NY, is an Ailey/Fordham BFA graduate and LaGuardia H.S. alumna. Ms. King danced with Ailey II, receiving features in Dance Spirit, The TODAY Show, PIX11, NY12, Good Day Sacramento, and named BLOCH Young Artist. She performed at Holland Dance Festival and Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary and choreographed for Women/Create! This is her first season with the company.
ANE ARRIETA (New Dancer), dual citizen of Spain and the U.S., grew up in Rhode Island and trained at the Newport Academy of Ballet. She received a BFA in Dance Performance and Pedagogy from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford, earning the Outstanding Senior Award. She has worked with choreographers Jacqulyn Buglisi, Pascal Rioult, Bryan Arias, Francesca Harper and Colin Connor, and has been a member of Newport Contemporary Ballet, Buglisi Dance Theater and Graham 2. This is her first season with the company.
ZACHARY JEPPSEN (Apprentice) raised in Southern Wisconsin, is an alumnus of The Juilliard School where he received his BFA in Dance. He has had the pleasure of performing pieces by Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham,
Jacqulyn Buglisi, Donald McKayle, Paul Taylor, Ohad Naharin, and many other choreographers. Before Juilliard, Zachary attended The Chicago Academy for the Arts where he studied under Randy Duncan and Patrick Simoniello.
MATTHEW SPANGLER
(Apprentice) born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, began his dance training at the age of four and recently graduated with a BFA from The Juilliard School under the direction of Alicia Graf Mack and Mario Alberto Zambrano. While at Juilliard, he performed works by Ohad Naharin, Spencer Thesberge and Jermain Spivey, Hofesh Shechter, and Aszure Barton among others.
AMANDA MOREIRA (Apprentice), originally from Roxbury, NJ, received her BFA in Dance with a concentration in Modern from Marymount Manhattan College in 2022. She has performed works choreographed by Martha Graham, Twyla Tharp, Sidra Bell, Jessica Lang and Jennifer Archibald. After graduating she joined Graham 2. This is her first year with the company.
JUSTIN VALENTINE (Apprentice) is a member of Graham 2 after being Principal Dancer at Columbia Classical Ballet. Justin performed in many galas in five continents, taught master classes, and coached students preparing for competition. Formal training began at Valentina Kozlova Dance Conservatory of NY. He won gold medals in international competitions for ballet and contemporary dance before beginning his professional career.
JAI PEREZ (Apprentice) started his dance journey at the National Dance Institute where he cultivated a love for dance. He continued his training at the Alvin Ailey Junior Division, and is now an Alumni of the Conservatory of Dance at SUNY Purchase. He has performed works by Ronald K. Brown, Doug Varone, Ja’Malik, Ayodele Casel, Norbert De La Cruz lll, Martha Graham and Jacqulyn Buglisi.
Staff
LaRue Allen, Executive Director
Janet Eilber, Artistic Director
Ben Schultz, Rehearsal Director
Lorenzo Pagano, Rehearsal Director
Blakeley White-McGuire, Rehearsal Director
Simona Ferrara, General Manager
Lauren Mosier, Company Manager
A. Apostol, Director of Development Operations
Fran Kirmser, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Special Events
Melissa Sherwood, Director of Marketing
Maclaine Lowery, Marketing Associate
Joyce Herring, Director of Martha Graham Resources
Chloe Morrell, Production Supervisor
Yi-Chung Chen, Resident Lighting Designer
Becky Nussbaum, Associate Lighting Supervisor
Gabrielle Corrigan, Wardrobe Supervisor
Karen Young, Costume Consultant
Ashley Brown, Director of School
Tami Alesson, Dean of Students and Government Affairs
Virginie Mécène, Program Director/Director of Graham 2
Lone Larsen, Program Director
Amélie Bénard, Teens@Graham Program Director
Ana Sanchez, School Assistant
Janet Stapleton, Press Agent
Regisseurs
Miki Orihara
Peggy Lyman
Blakeley White-McGuire
Lone Larsen
Masha Maddux
Martin Lofnes
PeiJu Chien Pott
Virginie Mecene
Peter Sparling
Elizabeth Auclair
Tadej Brdnik
Maxine Sherman
Anne Souder
Amelie Bernard
Board of Trustees
Javier Morgado, Chair
Lorraine Oler, Immediate Past Chair
Barbara Cohen, Vice Chair
Inger Witter, President
Judith G. Schlosser, Chair Emeritus LaRue Allen, Executive Director
Janet Eilber, Artistic Director
Amy Blumenthal
Ayse Dizioglu-Koyluoglu
Geoffrey D. Fallon
Russell Guthrie
Christine Jowers
Irina Nuzova
Nichole Perkins
Stephen M. Rooks
Lori Sackler
Lawrence Stein
Ellis Wood
North American Representation International Representation
Rena Shagan Associates, Inc. LaRue Allen Executive Director (www.shaganarts.com) (lallen@marthagraham.org)
If you or someone you know has ever performed with the Martha Graham Dance Company or attended classes at the Martha Graham School, please send us names, addresses, telephone numbers and approximate dates of membership. We will add you to our alumni mailing list and keep you apprised of alumni events and benefits. Call +1.212.229.9200 or e-mail info@marthagraham.org.
The Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance is a not-for-profit corporation, supported by contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies. Contributions in support of the Martha Graham Center will be gratefully received at the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance, Inc., 55 Bethune Street New York, NY 10014, or visit www.marthagraham.org/contribute.
For more information, visit www.marthagraham.org
BRAD MEHLDAU, PIANO
Sun 24 Mar 2024
Camp Concert Hall
Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Brad Mehldau offers improvisation full of surprise and wonder, conmplemented by a rigorous appreciation of the formal architecture of music.
Wed 27 Mar 2024
Camp Concert Hall
Chris Thile is known for his virtuosic playing and innovative approach to bluegrass and acoustic music. The mandolinist, singer, and songwriter performs Bach partitas, rock covers, and everything in between.
EMANUEL AX, PIANO
Fri 5 April 2024
Camp Concert Hall
Emanuel Ax is know for his range of elegance, power and precision. A program of Beethoven, Schoenberg, and Webern is sure to inspire in the intimate Camp Concert Hall.
MODLIN BOX OFFICE Regular Hours: Monday - Friday 1pm - 5pm & 90 minutes prior to all ticketed events. Contact us at 804-289-8980 or modlinarts@richmond.edu
TICKET POLICY All sales are final. No refunds are available, except in the event of a cancellation.
TICKETS ARE REQUIRED All ticketed performances require every patron to have a ticket. This includes children, regardless of age. Children are welcome and must always be accompanied by an adult. Parental discretion is advised as some performances may not be suitable for young children.
TICKET DELIVERY Tickets will be delivered as Mobile Tickets via email. If you prefer to have your tickets printed and available for pick up at the Box Office, please select Hold at Will Call as your delivery method.
TICKET DONATIONS Tickets that cannot be used may be returned to the Box Office to be donated for resale.
CONTACT INFORMATION Please make sure your current email address and phone number are on file so that you can receive purchase confirmations, mobile tickets, and information and reminders about your upcoming performances.
PROGRAMS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE Sometimes this happens with little notice. In the event of a cancellation or date change, we will announce as early as possible, and attempts will be made to contact all ticket holders in advance of the event. Help us keep you informed by ensuring your contact information is up to date.
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