“Daydreams” by Anna Sokolow

Anna Sokolow

A renowned dancer and choreographer, Anna Sokolow utilized dance to explore her persistent and evocative interest in humanity. Born on February 9, 1910, Sokolow began her professional career in 1929 as a member of the Martha Graham company.  During her time at the Graham Dance Company, Sokolow formed her personal company, performing solo and ensemble works.  Her choreography was pervasive in its commitment to depicting a vast range of the human experience, stripping the movement from narrative association in attempt to uncover truth and emotion.  As a Jewish woman, Sokolow often visited Mexico and Israel to teach and choreograph, with works frequently serving as manifestations of social, political, and simply, human conflict. In addition to her affiliation to the dance and theater arts of Mexico and invitations to work with Israeli dance companies, Sokolow’s career pervaded the world of universities and acting studios throughout the U.S., including the Julliard School. Receiving an extensive list of honors such as an Honorary Doctorate from Ohio State University, a Fulbright Fellowship to Japan, a National Endowment for the Arts’ Choreographic Fellowship, Sokolow was named one of The Jewish Women’s Archive 2002 Women of Valor.  Sokolow died at the age of 90 in New York City on March 29, 2000. However, her choreography and vision for the possibility that lives within dance remains, as her works are performed by the Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble as well as repertory companies scattering the world.