GRAHAM100: Martha Graham Dance Company Centennial Celebration

In 1926, celebrated modern dance choreographer Martha Graham presented her first evening of work at the 48th Street Theater in New York City, marking the beginning of the Martha Graham Dance Company and launching a glorious journey that would revolutionize the world of Western concert dance.

2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the Martha Graham Dance Company, and the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College salutes the Graham Company on this momentous occasion!

As the only college in the nation to do so, Purchase College and the Conservatory of Dance present a year-long Martha Graham Dance Company Centennial Celebration @ Purchase featuring more than a dozen campus-wide events curated by Assistant Professor of Dance, Martin Lofsnes. Join the celebration by purchasing your GRAHAM100 Season Pass today!

GRAHAM100 Schedule of Events

Your GRAHAM100 Season Pass gives you access to all events and discounts listed here. Curate your own experience by attending as many events as you like. Please note that most of these events do not take place at The PAC.

GRAHAM100 Kick Off
Thursday, January 29, 6pm
Location: Dance Building (Lower Level) – Kazuko Hirabayashi Dance Theater Lab/KAZ

Planting Seeds: Dark Meadow in rehearsal
Thursday, February 11, 6pm
Introducing Purchase Dance Company’s cast of Martha Graham’s 1946 masterwork Dark Meadow. The evening will include a discussion with Graham Centennial Curator and Martha Graham regisseur, Martin Lofsnes, and members of his Dark Meadow reconstruction team.
Location: Dance Building (Lower Level) – Kazuko Hirabayashi Dance Theater Lab/KAZ

Sculpting Dance: Martha Graham and Isamu Noguchi
Thursday, February 26, 6pm
Experience Noguchi’s sculpture Bow and the original set pieces created by Noguchi for Graham’s seminal work Dark Meadow in conversation with Art Historian Natalie Ginsberg.
Location: Neuberger Museum of Art

The Architecture of Emotions: Martha Graham’s Theatrical Works
Wednesday, March 11, 12:30pm
An evening of dance and conversation investigating Martha Graham’s abstract and narrative theatrical works. The evening will focus on Graham’s retelling of the Greek myth of Oedipus Rex in Night Journey (1947) and Graham’s mystical journey through an evocative landscape of symbolism in Dark Meadow (1946). Night Journey will be performed by the Martha Graham Dance Company at The Purchase PAC on March 14. Dark Meadow will be performed by the Purchase Dance Company at The Purchase PAC, May 1-3.
Location: Dance Building (Lower Level) – Kazuko Hirabayashi Dance Theater Lab/KAZ

Root and Branch: Growing the Graham Legacy. A Centennial Reflection with Janet Eilber.
Saturday, March 14, 6:45pm
An exclusive conversation with Janet Eilber, Artistic Director of the Martha Graham Dance Company.
Location: The Purchase PAC – Upper Lobby

Discounted Ticket (15% off) to see Martha Graham Dance Company in Concert
Saturday, March 14, 7:30pm
Experience a live performance by Martha Graham Dance Company in a mixed-repertoire program that includes Night Journey (Graham), Cortege (Baye & Asa), and Chronicle (Graham). This ticket must be purchased separately. A discount code will be sent to you via email when you purchase your GRAHAM100 Season Pass.
Location: The Purchase PAC – Concert Hall

Martha Graham Dance Company Post-Performance Q&A
Saturday, March 14, approximately 9:30pm (after the performance)
Conversation with Company Artists and Graham Centennial Curator Martin Lofsnes.
Location: The Purchase PAC – Concert Hall

Dance is a Weapon. New Dance Group – Dance as Social Protest
Wednesday, April 1, 6pm
A conversation about American Modern Dance and its origin as political and social activism.
Location: Dance Building (Lower Level) – Kazuko Hirabayashi Dance Theater Lab/KAZ

Flowers Unfold: Dark Meadow Nearly Complete!
Wednesday, April 22, 7pm
Take a sneak peek at Dark Meadow during this Purchase Dance Company open rehearsal.
Location: Dance Building (Lower Level) – Kazuko Hirabayashi Dance Theater Lab/KAZ

Enter the Meadow
Friday, May 1, 6:30pm
An exclusive pre-performance celebration and backstage tour.
Location: The Purchase PAC – Upper Lobby

In Full Bloom – Dark Meadow Revealed
Friday, May 1, 8pm
Saturday, May 2, 2pm
Saturday, May 2, 8pm
Sunday, May 3, 3pm
The curtain rises on the Purchase Dance Company’s Spring Concert, which features a performance of Martha Graham’s 1946 masterwork Dark Meadow. Your GRAHAM100 Season Pass includes a complimentary ticket to the performance of your choice. A link to reserve your complimentary ticket and select your seat will be emailed to you when you purchase your season pass.

For more information about Graham100 events, please visit the Conservatory of Dance webpage.

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Since its inception, the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College has been proud to offer instruction in the Graham technique at the highest level. As one of the premier training grounds for the technique, we are dedicated to preserving the Graham legacy while exploring its relevance in today’s ever-changing landscape of dance. Our connection to the Graham Company runs deep: many of our alumni have graced the Graham stage over the years, including Terese Capusilli, one of the greatest stars of all time, and three alumni currently perform with the Company. We have had the privilege of presenting Ms. Graham’s ballets on campus and performing Graham’s Diversion of Angels at the Joyce Theater as part of the University Partners’ Showcase during the Graham Company’s NYC Season. The Conservatory of Dance is proud to continue to be an integral part of the Graham legacy and to have you join us in the celebration!

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Pictured above: Purchase Dance Company dancers Anéva Dubeaux, Minylan Echols, Charrie Burke. Photo (c) Christopher Duggan.