On 2/11/25, Hunter hosted this program as part of the Robert Seltzer Lunch Lecture Series.
Anna Sokolow and the Jewish Roots of her American Modern Dance
American modern dance pioneer and Jewish cultural icon Anna Sokolow (1910-2000) was a dancer and choreographer of uncompromising integrity. A very important part of American Jewish culture whose story is not well known, her choreography closely reflects her intense commitment to the social, political, and human conflicts of her times. Beginning in the 1930’s Sokolow confronted audiences with her radical idea that the common person is worthy of a place on stage. At each decade of her career she re-invented the possibilities, remaining at the cutting edge of her unflinching art for more than 70 years. Anna Sokolow’s artistic story is intertwined with the American Jewish story of her time.
SAMANTHA GERACHT is the artistic director of The Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble, the living legacy company of Anna Sokolow’s vast body of choreographic work. She toured with Anna Sokolow’s Players’ Project for eleven years working with Ms. Sokolow, and as a member of Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble since its founding in 2004. Ms. Geracht holds an MFA from Montclair State University and a BS in dance from The University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Watch the program below.
