Martha Graham Dance Company Celebrates 100th Anniversary with Star-Studded New York Gala

The Martha Graham Dance Company marked its centennial with a gala at the New York Public Library's main branch on Friday night. Attendees included actress Ariana DeBose, television host Padma Lakshmi, and Juilliard School president Damian Woetzel. DeBose, who began her television career on "So You Think You Can Dance" in 2009, described movement as essential to life. The event's honorary committee featured dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov and New York State Senator Erik Bottcher. Founded in 1926, the company is recognized as America's oldest dance troupe and has performed globally at venues like the Metropolitan Opera House and Carnegie Hall. It has also staged productions at the Paris Opera House and near Egypt's Great Pyramids. Based in New York, the ensemble has toured over 50 countries. Martha Graham revolutionized modern dance by liberating movement from traditional grace, according to New York Times critic Gia Kourlas. Her work employed stark, experimental forms to confront societal oppression.