June 26: Legacy
Ellen Graff & Marnie Thomas Wood
“Some piece of this is a little bit ‘dance historical’ - but we’re trying to show that that’s part of the living experience that we’re all having.
— ELLEN GRAFF
Ellen Graff
Ellen Graff danced with the Martha Graham Company, appearing in New York, and touring internationally. She has performed in Broadway musicals and for many years was a regular on the “Carol Burnett Show.” Graff has taught at colleges and universities across the country, and has a PhD in Performance Studies.
Marnie Thomas Wood
Marnie Thomas Wood joined the Graham Company in 1958, performing and teaching for Graham until invited in 1968 with husband/partner, David Wood, to establish the Dance Major at the UC Berkeley. She served as Director of the Graham School and currently she teaches there and at Adelphi University.
Learn About the Dance
Join Ellen and Marnie in their invitation into their latest dance.
Learn About the Inspiration for the Work
Join Ellen as she describes and dances the iconic expressive gestures of Martha Graham as captured by the photographer Barbara Morgan.
Marnie talks about her and Ellen’s history with Graham and the expressive use of the breath in the Graham technique. She performs an excerpt from the Graham ballet Ardent Song (1954) that illustrates how the technical concepts become performative.
Join the cast of “Ragtime in Quarantine” as they reflect on the experience of creating their own expressive gesture narratives.
Watch the Dance
“Ragtime In Quarantine”
Featured dancers: Karen Beja, Abby Cassell, Ellen Graff, Rebecca Hite, Pamela Knowles, Jeana Musacchio, Jill Rosenbloom, Jane Rubinsky, Irit Schwagger, Joyce Steinglass, Marnie Thomas Wood, Ellis Wood, Michelle van Vlaanderen
Original music by: Ragtime Dance by Scott Joplin
