Podcast Summary: "New Doc About Dance Legend Martha Graham"

All Of It with Alison Stewart | WNYC
Aired: March 26, 2026
Episode Theme:
A deep dive into the legacy and ongoing work of the Martha Graham Dance Company, celebrating its centennial, in tandem with the release of the new PBS documentary "We Are Our Time." Directors Peter Schnall and Cindy Radeen join Alison Stewart to discuss their immersive process documenting the company, Graham’s relentless innovation, the lived lives of dancers, and audience memories of Martha Graham’s impact.

1. Main Theme and Purpose

The episode centers on honoring the Martha Graham Dance Company’s 100th anniversary and exploring its enduring influence on modern dance. It coincides with the premiere of the new two-part documentary, "We Are Our Time," which provides rare behind-the-scenes access to the company’s contemporary dancers, archival footage of Martha Graham, and reflections from her collaborators. The discussion connects Graham’s historic breakthroughs to their living legacy, inviting listeners to reflect on how her technique and philosophy have affected them personally and artistically.

2. Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Documentary: "We Are Our Time"

• Director’s Approach:
  • Peter Schnall and Cindy Radeen aimed to go beyond performance, capturing what it means to be a dancer today by following the company for over two years across America, Europe, and China.
  • [03:07] Peter Schnall: "We had unbelievable access over the course of over two years where we followed the company all across America, Europe and China."
• Grounding the Story in the Present:
  • Chose not to feature historians; current and former dancers are treated as the living memory and voices of the company.
  • [03:59] Cindy Radeen: "Our idea was that Martha Graham's work lives within her dancers themselves... they are the historians of Graham's work."
• Meryl Streep as Graham’s Voice:
  • Meryl Streep contributes by reading Graham’s writings, deepening the viewer’s connection to Graham’s philosophical and artistic musings.
  • [05:14] Peter Schnall: "Cindy and I had decided there would be no narration... so we decided to have an actress read from Martha's writings."

Martha Graham’s Innovations and Technique

• Contraction and Release:
  • The signature "Graham technique" is described as a powerful method that emphasizes contraction and release, prioritizing the dancer’s internal experience and power.
  • [07:04] Peter Schnall: "Contraction and release, meaning it's all within... not only to bring their own sense of how a dance should be performed, but also to understand the power of the human body."
• Barefoot Dancing:
  • Graham’s eschewal of ballet shoes aimed to make movement and expression more raw and visceral, which has inspired generations of choreographers.
  • [08:09] Peter Schnall: "She wanted to sort of let the body feel not only the dance floor, but present itself in its most sort of bare way."

The Dancer’s Life—Dedication and Physical Toll

• Daily Discipline:
  • Dancers balance long rehearsals with additional dance, gym, and Pilates training.
  • [15:41] Cindy Radeen: "I didn't realize the amount of work that they have to do in their lives... they might do a Graham work in the morning and then work with a new choreographer in the afternoon."
• Missed Security and Freelance Nature:
  • Dancers are generally freelancers, piecing together work with various companies and teaching gigs to make ends meet.
  • [23:41] Peter Schnall: "These great young artists are basically freelancers... and in the off season they have to find other work, but the company has endured for 100 years."
• Physical and Emotional Demands:
  • Frequent injuries, the fear of being replaced, and the unwavering commitment to the art form are recurring challenges.
  • [16:34] Peter Schnall: "The beauty and power of what it takes to be these incredible artists... Nothing more than a simple ankle injury... can take you out immediately."

Graham’s Attitude Toward Sensuality and Artistic Rebellion

• Embracing Sexuality in Art:
  • Graham welcomed the sensual and 'erotic' aspects of her choreography, seeing no shame in such expressions.
  • [12:34] Cindy Radeen: "She embraced sexuality and... felt that hidden things... shouldn't be something to be ashamed of."

Enduring Impact and Public Memories

• Listener Call-Ins:
  • New Yorkers and others recall vivid personal encounters with Graham, her company, or her technique, testifying to her profound reach across decades and disciplines—from actors to dancers to audience members.
  • [09:46-14:19]
• Global Influence:
  • Listeners from as far as Buenos Aires recount Graham’s influence on the global dance community.
• Collaborators and Icons:
  • The film features important voices like Mikhail Baryshnikov, underlining Graham’s continuing inspiration for top dancers.
  • [20:18] Peter Schnall: "He spoke so openly and kindly about his first meeting with Martha Graham and what it meant to him as a young dancer here in New York."

Financial Realities and the Challenge of Nonprofit Sustainability

• Perpetual Fundraising:
  • Past and present, the company has struggled to find stable funding, relying on arts foundations, philanthropy, and constant public support.
  • [25:01] Cindy Radeen: "They're constantly fundraising... I think it's just the reality... nonprofits struggle."

3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Artistic Courage:
  • "[Martha Graham] didn't care what others thought... I don't care what they think. I'm just going to do what I'm going to do." — Cindy Radeen [06:26]
• On Technique’s Empowerment:
  • "What the dancers always spoke about is how powerful they feel... Many have backgrounds in ballet... but the moment they danced Graham, it felt powerful for them." — Cindy Radeen [07:38]
• On Movement and Truth:
  • "Her father... said movement never lies and I will never forget that." — Listener Gwen [19:11]
• On Martha’s Presence:
  • "She was tiny, but she was so regal, and so she had such a presence... like the Queen of England." — Listener Linda [25:41]
• On Dance as Artistry and Labor:
  • "It's tough to pay your rent. It's tough to be an artist today in this country." — Peter Schnall [24:47]

4. Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:08] Episode introduction and show rundown
• [03:07] Documentary inspiration and unique filming process
• [03:59] Decision to focus on dancers as historians of Graham’s legacy
• [05:14] Involving Meryl Streep as Graham’s voice
• [07:04] The Graham technique explained
• [08:09] Graham’s revolutionary barefoot dancing
• [12:34] Sexuality and the 'erotic' in Graham’s choreography
• [15:41] The grueling, athletic life of a company dancer
• [16:34] The physical/emotional toll of dance
• [19:11] Listener testimony—personal connection to Graham and her philosophy
• [20:18] Baryshnikov’s reflections in the documentary
• [23:41] Economic realities for dancers
• [25:01] Nonprofit challenges and fundraising
• [29:07] Directors share how the project changed their perspective on dance

5. Final Reflections from the Directors

• Peter Schnall [28:20]: Touched by his first foray into dance filmmaking, gained a new appreciation for the beauty, effort, and power of live dance.
• Cindy Radeen [29:07]: Inspired by dancers’ commitment to creativity and modern dance’s ongoing evolution, now sees more modern dance performances personally.

6. Overall Tone & Takeaways

The conversation is celebratory yet honest, blending reverence for Martha Graham’s legacy with a clear-eyed look at the discipline’s demands and the realities of modern artistic life. Listener stories enhance the communal sense of Graham’s widespread impact, inviting all to feel a part of the company's centennial moment. Both directors espouse gratitude for witnessing the dancers’ dedication and for helping preserve and spotlight Graham’s vital place in American and world culture.

The Martha Graham Dance Company Centennial Performances:
April 8–12 at New York City Center, NYC
Documentary "We Are Our Time":
Part 1 airs March 27, 9pm on PBS | Part 2 airs April 3