The year begins with a dance project of extraordinary historical and artistic significance. On January 24th, audiences are invited to experience a first look at a newly commissioned solo created for the Martha Graham Dance Company, performed by Lloyd Knight, the Company’s acclaimed lead dancer. Developed at The Church, this new work draws inspiration from archival materials connected to a solo choreographed by Martha Graham in 1938, bridging the past and present in a bold act of contemporary creation.
Following its debut at The Church, the solo will go on to become a centerpiece of the Martha Graham Dance Company’s repertory for 2026, marking the Company’s 100th anniversary season—a milestone moment in American dance history.
The Premiere Showing offers audiences a unique opportunity to witness choreography and music created during an intensive one-week residency at The Church. This collaborative process brings together three powerful artistic voices: Lloyd Knight, composer and percussionist Stahv Danker, and choreographer Jamar Roberts.
The new solo is informed by rare materials from the Martha Graham Dance Company archives, including a one-minute silent film of a man performing a solo believed to be from American Document (1938), along with poetry and fragments of the original musical score. Graham’s choreography from the work was never filmed and is considered lost.
Rather than attempting a reconstruction, Roberts approaches the project as a contemporary response to the archival materials. Over five days, Roberts will develop the choreography as Danker composes an original score, resulting in a work that is inspired by history but unmistakably of this moment.
This performance is presented as part of Martha Graham: Collaborations, an exhibition on view at The Church from January 18 through March 22. The exhibition examines the Company’s 100-year history through the lens of its many artistic partnerships, offering insight into the wide range of creative practices—movement, music, design, and beyond—that shape a choreographed work.
The January 24th Premiere Showing stands as both a celebration of legacy and a glimpse into the future, where archival discovery, contemporary creativity, and living artistry converge.
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