The Panorama Project: Reconstruction of Martha Graham’s 1935 Bennington Premiere

Course Description

Summary

In 1935, at Bennington College, Martha Graham created the iconic work Panorama. This piece “was Graham’s political call to action and her attempt to awaken social consciousness and is a stunning example of 1930s modernism.” The Martha Graham Dance Company returns to Bennington to celebrate its 100th year by teaching and performing this piece. This is an exceptional, rare opportunity.

Blakeley Angel, former principal dancer of the Martha Graham Dance Company and current faculty member of the Martha Graham Center, will be in residence for one week to teach the work.  Cameron Childs and Dana Reitz will be co-leading the project.

Students are invited to learn this piece quickly in an intensive rehearsal period during the week of March 7-13, 2026 and will perform with members of the Martha Graham Dance Company on March 28 in the Martha Hill Dance Theater. Students of the BA Dance program and the BFA Dance Program, along with any other students with interest in a physically demanding experience, are invited and encouraged to join this project. It is meant for a very large number of performers.

The schedule is as follows (Accommodations will be made in other dance classes held during these times):

Saturday, March 7: 9:30-1:10; 2:30-6:10

Sunday, March 8: 9:30-1:10; 2:30-6:10

Monday, March 9: 7:00-8:50

Tuesday, March 10: 4:10-6:00; 7:00-8:50

Wednesday, March 11: TBA varied - Problem Solving Day - smaller groups

Thursday, March 12: 7:00-8:50

Friday, March 13: 4:10-6:00

Wednesday, March 18: 7:00-8:50 (maintenance rehearsal)

Wednesday, March 25: 7:00-8:50 (maintenance rehearsal)

Saturday, March 28: 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Technical Rehearsals and Performance)

Some preparatory time TBA will be needed in advance of this week and prior to performance.

Auditing for no credit is possible, but full commitment is required.

If really interested but have a conflict with a non-dance class, please contact Dana Reitz at dreitz@bennington.edu.

From the Graham Company website:

“At 11 minutes in length, Panorama is defined by highly energized movement and shifting geometric patterns created by groups of dancers rushing through space. The dance is energetic and filled with traveling steps such as rhythmic walks, prances, low runs, and many different types of jumps. Students use these steps in complicated group patterns, fast exits, and entrances.”