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The Documentation of The Martha Graham Technique

Preserving the revolutionary modern dance technique of Martha Graham.

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The Documentation of The Martha Graham Technique

The Documentation of The Martha Graham Technique

The Documentation of The Martha Graham Technique

The Documentation of The Martha Graham Technique

The Documentation of The Martha Graham Technique

Preserving the revolutionary modern dance technique of Martha Graham.

Preserving the revolutionary modern dance technique of Martha Graham.

Preserving the revolutionary modern dance technique of Martha Graham.

Preserving the revolutionary modern dance technique of Martha Graham.

Babette Coffey Fisch
Babette Coffey Fisch
Babette Coffey Fisch
Babette Coffey Fisch
1 Campaign |
New York, United States
$1,325 USD 15 backers
4% of $30,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

Dance Spotlight is seeking $30,000 post-production money for the first of 3 DVDs to document Martha Graham's truly revolutionary technique.

Donations are tax deductible.

                                        

Martha Graham was an American modern dancer who was the equivalent in dance to what Pablo Picasso was for the visual arts, Stravinsky was to music, or Frank Lloyd Wright was for architecture. Martha Graham, legendary dancer, choreographer, lived from 1894-1991. She was a true pioneer in the development of modern dance. She created her own unique technique. Her company was founded in 1926 and is the oldest in the U.S. and is still performing today. In 1976, President Ford awarded her the highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom and declared Martha a national treasure. In 1985, President Ronald Reagan awarded her the United States Medal of the Arts.

Dancers study and perform her technique all over the world.  Yet it hasn't been documented completely or comprehensively in a way to preserve it and its integrity for the generations of dancers to come.  With each generation of dancers, changes and new interpretations alter it.  Our goal is to create an accurate record of the original movement vocabulary before elements are lost or evolved beyond recognition so dancers can continue to learn and perform this marvelous technique and Martha Graham's choreography.  The body, the weight, the centering are different in the Graham technique than in other techniques and its uniqueness needs and deserves to be preserved.

This is an extensive undertaking.  We are working in collaboration with the Martha Graham Dance Company and Miki Orihara, a 26 year veteran of the Graham Company. Over 3 years, 3 interactive DVDs and digital files will be produced with detailed explanation about each of the exercises. After raising money from The New York State Council of the Arts and several foundations, in November 2012, the movement vocabulary for the first DVD was recorded at the Kaatsbaan International Dance Center, New York. The dancers spent days in targeted rehearsals with a final week at  Kaatsbaan before the taping. We are now seeking post-production money to complete the first stage of this project - the Beginner Level.  

This is why we need your help.       


We appreciate any donation to make this documentation possible. The donations will pay for the editing of the footage of the exercises as they are performed and then the editing of a second video level of information about each exercise that can be accessed interactively as one views the video.  Plus, the funding will cover the costs of the composer for the accompanying music, the recording of the voice over instructions and comments and the final audio mix.  Since Dance Spotlight is a 501(c)(3) corporation, all donations are tax deductible.

This beginner level DVD will be followed by Intermediate and Advanced Technique level DVDs and digital files.  We are targeting the end of 2013 to release this first DVD. This project will provide greater knowledge of and access worldwide to this extraordinary legacy.

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost."  Martha Graham.

                       

Our Company, Dance Spotlight: The Filmmakers

Dance Spotlight is dedicated to preserving performing dance techniques for dancers, teachers, scholars and performers of all types and to help make dance appealing and accessible to broader audiences.  We produce technique and class videos to assure that these valuable artistic contributions are not lost.  Both of us, the directors of Dance Spotlight, Jeanne Suggs and Babette Coffey-Fisch, are former dancers who love dance and started our work to document techniques with the Lester Horton technique.   Dance Spotlight has documented The Lester Horton Technique with former and current Alvin Ailey Company dancers. We have produced 3 technique and 4 class videos of the Horton technique.  With that completed we wanted to next document the Graham technique, a much larger undertaking.

The Impact

The documentation is capturing the anatomical direction that was essential to Martha Graham.  The DVD content is designed to enable dancers to perform the technique, demonstrating every aspect of movement that a dancer requires. The DVDs will teach the language of the technique so dancers can use it to either express the emotions of the repertory or to create new works.

The Graham technique is taught in major dance schools, universities, colleges, and dance companies around the world.  This project will provide greater knowledge of and access to this extraordinary legacy and will be a lasting cultural gift to future generations.

Choice of Photos as donation perks:

       

Photos by: Matt Trent and Julio Enrique Rivera


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Choose your Perk

Friend

$10 USD
Any amount is appreciated! All donations receive a personal shout-out on the Dance Spotlight Facebook and Twitter pages.
1 claimed

Supporter

$50 USD
For your generous support, we will give you four individual postcards with pictures of dancers from the taping of the Documentation of the Martha Graham Technique. Your name will also appear in the credits of the video as a "Supporter" of our efforts in addition to the above perks.
4 claimed

Sponsor

$75 USD
For your donation, we will provide you with an 8x10 photo of one of the dancers in the Graham Technique video, all who are members of the Graham Company. Your name will also appear in the credits of the video as a "Sponsor" of our efforts and you will receive a personal shout-out on Facebook and Twitter.
0 claimed

Contributor

$100 USD
For your generous donation, we will give you a poster of 6 dancers from the Documentation of the Martha Graham Technique DVD. Your name will also appear in the credits of the video as a "Contributor" to our efforts and you will receive a personal shout-out on Facebook and Twitter.
3 claimed

Major Contributor

$250 USD
For your gracious gift, we will provide you with a signed version of the poster with 6 dancers from the Documentation of the Martha Graham Technique DVD. Your name will also appear in the credits of the video as a "Major Contributor" to our efforts and you will receive a personal shout-out on Facebook and Twitter.
0 claimed

Patron

$500 USD
For your generous donation, your name will be listed in the credits of the Beginner Level Martha Graham Technique video as a “Patron" in addition to all of the above perks. You will also receive the DVD of the Beginner Level Martha Graham Technique when it is published.
1 claimed

Benefactor

$1,000 USD
For your gracious gift, your name will be listed in the credits of the Beginner Level Martha Graham Technique video as a “Benefactor” in addition to all of the above perks. You will also receive the DVD of the Beginner Level Martha Graham Technique when it is published.
0 claimed

Major Benefactor

$2,500 USD
For your generous support, your name will be listed in the credits of the Beginner Level Martha Graham Technique video as a “Major Benefactor” in addition to all of the above perks. You will also receive the DVD of the Beginner Level Martha Graham Technique when it is published.
0 claimed

Dance Angel

$5,000 USD
For your generous gift, your name will be listed in the credits of the Beginner Level Martha Graham Technique video as a “Dance Angel” in addition to all of the above perks. You will also receive the DVD of the Beginner Level Martha Graham Technique when it is published.
0 claimed

Associate Producer

$10,000 USD
For your generous support, your name will be listed in the head of the credits of the Beginner Level Martha Graham Technique video as an “Associate Producer" in addition to all of the above perks. You will also receive the DVD of the Beginner Level Martha Graham Technique when it is published.
0 claimed

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