BWW Interviews: Christine Dakin on Her Current Projects

It takes a visionary to move art forward, and Christine Dakin is a creative individual whose current projects exemplify a deep commitment to the art of dance. Dakin has written and directed a movie, La Voz del Cuerpo/The Body Speaks which had screenings at The New York City Independent Film Festival and at the Golden Door International Film Festival during the month of October.

Dakin is well known as a dancer, teacher and director and a foremost exponent of the Martha Graham repertory and technique. Dakin was chosen by Martha Graham for the company in 1976 where she became known worldwide for her performances of Graham's roles and for those created for her by Graham and such artists as Robert Wilson and Twyla Tharp. She became Associate Artistic Director of the Martha Graham Company in 1997 and was named Artistic Director with Terese Capucilli in 2002. Leading the company to its rebirth, they are credited with bringing its artistic excellence and repertory to a level not seen since Martha Graham's death and they were named Artistic Directors Laureate.

While her time with the Martha Graham Company profoundly influenced the landscape of her art, there is so much more to Dakin's current activities and her plans for the future. She said, "I try to identify in my own work what it was I received from Martha and how I make it my own, so I can better express Martha work and develop my own."

She now serves on the faculty of The Ailey School and at The Neighborhood Playhouse School. With its rich history, The Neighborhood Playhouse School was once home to Martha Graham herself and has always been a place for an impressive group of actors, musicians and dancers. Dakin stated, "The Playhouse and Ailey School carry the line of Martha's work, continue to influence dance and acting students, a tradition I am proud to be a part of."

Having toured in Mexico with the Graham Company, Dakin fell in love with the country and the culture. She has developed relationships with artists from Mexico and the United States including musicians, dancers, friends and students with whom she shares the dancer's life; Dakin has worked with them to create La Voz del Cuerpo/The Body Speaks; the 27 minute film which shares her poetics of a Graham dancer in a life of practice, imagination, performance and teaching. The film has both a Spanish and English version.

Dakin looks forward to sharing her film with many audiences in the future. She said, "I'd like viewers to go away feeling that the work that the dancer does with the body and with their imagination is as understandable as the spoken language that is perfectly familiar to them."

The film project led Dakin to have unprecedented experiences. She received the support of a Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study Fellowship at Harvard University for one year during which she developed the film and wrote the text. This prestigious honor allowed Dakin to communicate with other fellows. "I loved that at Radcliffe I had to challenge myself in the way I communicate about my art, and to really understand what is important about it."

It is the desire to share her art that will continue to lead Dakin to new heights. As she continues to work as an independent artist and a dancer to forward the Graham legacy, there are more projects in the works. "The Terpsicon," an interactive DVD of the Graham technique is being produced in English, Spanish, Italian and French. With grace and style, Christine Dakin has made it her goal to bring to the public Martha Graham's art and her own.

For more information of Christine Dakin and her film, visit /www.christinedakin.com.

Photo Credit: Chuck Kimball

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