- Additional Authors
- Found In
- Contained in (manifestation): Martha Graham Dance Company collection.
- Description
- 6 online resources (6 audio files) (266 min., 45 sec.)
- Summary
- An audiorecording of an interview with Marnie Thomas and David Wood, likely between the years of 2000 and 2002. David Wood can be heard in the background, however, his contributions are restated by Marnie Thomas.
- Alternative Title
- David Wood and Marnie Thomas
- Subject
- Genre/Form
- History.
- Sound recordings.
- Interviews.
- Note
- Title from audiocassette label.
- Date inferred by cataloger based on contents and interviewees.
- Patrons can access streaming audio file online only onsite at the Library for the Performing Arts.
- Event (note)
- Recorded between 2000 and 2002.
- Contents
- File 1 (side 1). On the first side of the first cassette, they discuss the mercurial temperament of Martha Graham, her use of dancers based on the ballet's needs and their physical abilities and attributes, the earlier classes she taught being more inventive such as combining movement and Shakespeare, the negative aspects of Martha's personality and times that she and David had conflicts (approximately 47 minutes) -- File 2 (side 2). Continued on the second side of the first cassette, they discuss the changing of dance roles and choreography for the male dancers, the creation of the Messenger character in Clytemnestra, the larger production of Clytemnestra, Martha's sensitivity to space and her ability to manipulate and adjust it, Martha's disdain for rehearsal before a performance, and Jean Rosenthal's lighting work (approximately 47 minutes) -- File 3 (side 3). The first side of the second cassette, they continue their discussion of Jean Rosenthal, the fact she was the only person Martha gave complete freedom, her calming influence on Martha Graham, Noguchi's designs and the collaboration between him and Martha Graham. They continue to discuss the production of Clytemnestra, Martha's recognition that her strength in storytelling came when she had something to add to the known story, David's belief that Martha was not a great dancer but she was a great performer and creator, dancing with Martha requires training as an actor for the roles and expressiveness, the fact that Martha's performance was also unique in that she was often detached from the role she was playing on stage, and the stillness required for the pieces (approximately 37 minutes) -- File 4 (side 4). The first side of the third cassette, they begin with discussing Martha's sense of removal from her pieces, her tendency to split her female characters, the celebration of the female anti-hero, finding the justification for certain actions in the dance to avoid them becoming ridiculous, advice for new dancers coming into established roles, their understanding and interpretation of the couples and chorus in Diversion of angels, Martha Graham dancing in Episodes by Balanchine, and the timeless quality of some dances such as Steps in the street (approximately 47 minutes) -- File 5 (side 5). The second side of the third cassette, continues with discussing reconstructions of lost choreography, the different types of breathing that dancers used in their dancing and how it affected the movement, details the dance Ardent song which was performed incomplete and largely improvised, Martha's tendency to work and improve the dances she liked and discard the ones she didn't, considers Canticle the dance that has fallen out of the repertoire that should be revived, discusses some possible dancers to contact about remembering these earlier performances, David's time as rehearsal coach for Seraphic dialogue and the changes in that choreography over the years, discuss changes that should occur with El penitente (approximately 47 minutes) -- File 6 (side 6). The first side of the fourth cassette, continues with the discussion of El penitente and Seraphic dialogue, address an incorrect attack towards Martha Graham regarding racism, further discuss that the dances from different periods should be danced differently, the progression of movement through the decades, David's favorite Martha story which is about Acrobats of god, and they conclude with discussing the current state of the company (approximately 40 minutes).
- OCLC
- 1371330753
- Title
David Wood & Marnie Thomas, [between 2000 and 2002?].
- Production
[between 2000 and 2002?]
- Playing Time
004715 004716 003729 004716 004721 004008
- Type of Content
spoken word
- Type of Medium
computer
- Type of Carrier
online resource
- Digital File Characteristics
audio file
- Event
Recorded between 2000 and 2002.
- Added Author
Wood, David, 1925-2002, interviewee.
Thomas, Marnie, interviewee.
Martha Graham Dance Company, donor.
- Found In:
Contained in (manifestation): Martha Graham Dance Company collection.
- Other Form:
Electronic reproduction of (manifestation): David Wood & Marnie Thomas. 4 audiocassettes (266 min., 45 sec.) (SPEC AMI ID)529519 (SPEC AMI ID)529520 (SPEC AMI ID)529521 (SPEC AMI ID)529522 (OCoLC)1371330751