A Fresh Dawn For MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE CENTER In Times Square

For anyone curious about the significance of this move, remember that the MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE CENTER isn’t just a random dance school flitting about Manhattan; it’s a cornerstone of contemporary dance history. Established nearly one hundred years ago by modern dance pioneer Martha Graham, the organisation has spent decades cultivating a community devoted to evolving her groundbreaking technique. By the time Graham passed away in 1991, her eponymous company had toured globally, inspiring fans and dancers alike. Yet, even after a century, the organisation is showing no signs of slowing down.

It’s easy to view this move to Times Square as a simple change of address, but the real story is far richer. On the cusp of its 100th anniversary, the MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE CENTER is packing up its current spaces—Westbeth Artists Housing Complex and St. Veronica’s Church—in favour of a brand-new facility at 1501 Broadway. Though at first glance 1501 Broadway might seem an unlikely place to celebrate the Graham Company’s legacy, this location has its own storied past: it once served as rehearsal space for the old “Paramount Theater,” a venue known for hosting big bands, motion pictures, and legendary stage acts. That synergy of dance tradition and theatrical heritage makes for an exhilarating new chapter in the organisation’s history.

Why Move?

If you’ve ever wandered through Westbeth, you’ll have noticed a certain bohemian charm in its corridors—an artistic energy cultivated by the painters, sculptors, and dancers who’ve dwelt there. But artistic fervour aside, the Centre’s needs have outgrown the limitations of those existing spaces. According to the organisation’s Executive Director, LaRue Allen, there’s been a pressing desire to expand the educational programmes and accommodate more students—particularly children and teens from around the globe.

The numbers speak for themselves. Over the past decade, interest in Graham-based classes has risen steadily, with the Centre fielding requests from dance schools in at least ten different countries looking to incorporate aspects of the technique into their syllabi. More than 2,000 international students enrolled in short-term or summer intensives between 2018 and 2023, a figure that has reportedly stretched the current facilities to their limits. Throw in the demands of archiving and licensing the Graham repertoire, and you’ve got an institution bursting at the seams.

Moving to Times Square isn’t merely about added space—it’s about global accessibility. The location practically sits at the crossroads of the world, facilitating easier visits from foreign dance instructors and curious tourists alike. And for the many devotees of the Graham style, being in the epicentre of Manhattan’s theatre district enhances the sense that Graham’s influence extends far beyond the world of modern dance, reaching into the broader cultural tapestry of performance art.

Six New Studios And More

The scheme, developed with MBB Architects, reveals a state-of-the-art vision: six expansive studios, dressing rooms, a grand reception area, public gathering spaces, as well as administrative and archival support. This last element is key. Many are unaware that the MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE CENTER isn’t just about teaching steps or staging performances—it also shoulders a massive responsibility in maintaining the Graham legacy. The archival and licensing department safeguards original choreography, costume designs, and audiovisual recordings that date back decades. By integrating these archives into the new Times Square headquarters, the organisation aims to make the materials more accessible to researchers, historians, and curious fans.

One of the more surprising details in the Centre’s plan is the intention to open certain facilities under a subsidised rental programme. That means up-and-coming dance troupes, choreographers, and perhaps even small-scale theatre companies can tap into these brand-new studios without draining their budgets. In a city where rehearsal space is notoriously scarce and can cost hundreds of dollars an hour, this philanthropic gesture has the potential to shape New York’s entire performing arts ecosystem. Think of it as a vital lifeline for emergent voices—something Graham herself might have championed, given her own early struggles in establishing a home for modern dance.

A $6 Million Investment In The Future

You might be thinking: Expanding studios, digitising archives, relocating to Times Square… none of this comes cheap, does it? And you’d be right. The project carries a capital budget of nearly $6 million, a figure that underscores the Centre’s ambitions. Some might balk at that number, particularly at a time when arts funding can feel precarious. But as LaRue Allen recently emphasised, it’s an investment that fortifies the Centre’s global standing for the next century.

Indeed, philanthropic contributions, private donations, and possibly government cultural grants are reportedly in the pipeline to buoy the project’s finances. The demand for top-tier dance education remains high, and with consistent interest from international partners, the Centre’s leadership appears confident in recouping its investment through increased student admissions, special events, and collaborations with arts councils worldwide.

Reinvention And Relevance

For decades, Times Square has been known as a neon-lit mecca of commercial theatre. From THE LION KING to PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the area has always buzzed with the mainstream side of performing arts. Yet modern dance, especially the Graham technique, is often considered avant-garde or niche. By planting its headquarters in Times Square, the MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE CENTER effectively declares modern dance to be just as integral to the cultural conversation as big-ticket musicals. It’s a statement about who belongs at the centre of the city’s artistic universe—and the Centre is asserting that experimental forms of movement deserve that prime real estate as much as any blockbuster show.

This relocation also paves the way for new alliances. Imagine a scenario in which Broadway actors drop in for a Graham-based movement workshop, or choreographers from commercial productions consult with the Graham faculty to infuse a bit of modern flair into their staging. The synergy could be electric, bridging the gap between classical dance and commercial theatre in a manner that fosters innovation in both worlds.

An Unseen Legacy

One often overlooked aspect of the Graham tradition is how extensively it has influenced Hollywood and television. From the dance numbers in classic film musicals to contemporary music videos, the principles of contraction and release can be spotted by those who know what to look for. And that’s not to mention the many celebrities—ranging from major film stars to pop icons—who have dipped their toes in Graham classes as a way to refine their performance skills. Although these celebrities rarely speak publicly about their training, you’d be surprised to learn how many of the red-carpet elite have a Graham background hidden in their repertoire.

Relocating to Times Square will only amplify that behind-the-scenes presence. With greater visibility, the Centre might well become a hotspot for pre-show warm-ups or for film studios seeking sophisticated movement direction. We may soon see “Graham-influenced choreographies” in commercials, television specials, and events that range from the Tony Awards to international dance festivals.

Looking Ahead

In all my years covering theatre and dance across Australia and beyond, I can say that relocations rarely unfold without a snag or two. Will the MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE CENTER face challenges in outfitting its new headquarters and meeting that $6 million capital budget? Quite possibly. But judging by the organisation’s track record—its unwavering commitment to expansion and education, not to mention a century’s worth of triumphant performances—the outlook seems almost inevitably positive.

One tantalising thought: a 100th-anniversary celebration in the brand-new Times Square facility. If the Centre times its completion perfectly, we might see a star-studded gala featuring the Graham Company in that iconic space, an evening dedicated to both preserving the past and forging the future. Given the building’s history as the Paramount Theatre’s rehearsal hall, it would be a marvellous full-circle moment: one set of performing arts legends making way for another.

At its heart, dance is about transformation—of the body, the space, and the audience’s imagination. The MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE CENTER’s upcoming move to Times Square embodies that spirit of metamorphosis on a grand scale. By forging a new home at 1501 Broadway, the Centre isn’t merely relocating; it’s reigniting the conversation around modern dance, inviting the world to explore an art form that, in many respects, started right here in New York.

For dance lovers, theatre buffs, or anyone enthralled by cultural history, this marks the start of a dynamic chapter for an institution that shaped contemporary movement as we know it. In truth, the Centre is doing much more than expanding its footprint. It’s echoing what Martha Graham declared so many years ago—that art should never stand still. And as the next century of Graham technique unfolds amid the blazing lights of Times Square, that affirmation feels more powerful and relevant than ever.