Dance: Dance at Bennington

The writer explores the integral role played by Martha Hill's Bennington Summer School of Dance in the dance revolution. Established in the summer of 1934, Bennington allowed the giants of modern dance—Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, Hanya Holm, and Charles Weidman—to perfect their techniques and train their dancer armies to spread the dance revolution across the country.

The number of people in the dance world grieving the passing but, what is more important, celebrating the life and contributions of Martha Hill is nothing less than astounding. Her influence is pervasive; the names of those whose lives she touched is a Who's Who of American dance.

The story of this groundbreaking summer dance program is told through the voices of staff, faculty, and students. Administrative director Mary Josephine Shelly's previously unpublished writings form a key summary of eight of the nine summer sessions. The Bennington School of the Dance was held from 1934 to 1942.

Footage taken by participant Doris Isabelle Ewing. Transfer of 8mm film: Kodachrome, silent, color, 1938. Faculty and Staff of the 1938 session, including Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, Charles Wiedman, and Hanya Holm.