This is an interview with Blakeley White-Mcguire, a principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company. This interview was conducted by the students learning the part of Elektra from Blakeley at Skidmore College’s Summer Dance Intensive.
You can find a link to the video here
Watching Clytemnestra for the first time not only allowed me to gain knowledge of the work and the characters that we have been learning about in rep. class, but it also allowed me to look at my “Name Calling” study, and everyone elses with a greater understanding. Just watching the characters eyes in this could give an indication of their intent and feeling. It was interesting to see each character step forth and give their ” Name Calling”, because I found myself realizing that it is very natural as human beings to embody all of the characters. At times we can all be Cassandra’s but then mold quickly into another character. Our studies are what we happened to be feeling the moment we created them. Each day they can be performed a little differently depending on our experiences. Seeing our studies develop, and watching the company members try to develop their characters for Clytemnestra, has only proven to me that there aren’t any limits. The little details are the hardest to refine but they are what makes these ” Name Callings” so unique and more importantly beautiful to watch.
