Martha Graham and Greek Myth is a project combining classical philology and live dance to explore Martha Graham’s use of Ancient Greek mythology and the portrayal of Ancient Greek heroes in her work. The project highlights the relevance of Greek myth today and aims to make the study of both ancient myth and modern dance accessible to the broad public. It underscores the immense influence of the Ancient Greeks on American culture and the arts, and underlines the contribution of Martha Graham in revolutionizing the art of dance. The project comes to life through Nina Papathanasopoulou’s collaboration with renowned Graham technique and repertory instructor, Penny Diamantopoulou.
Nina Papathanasopoulou is a Professor of Classical Studies specializing in Greek drama, mythology, and its reception. She joined the Classics faculty at College Year in Athens in January 2020, where she teaches Ancient Greek mythology, religion, and literature courses and runs field trips all over Greece for US students who are studying abroad.