By Ethan Thomas
War and its effects on those involved need no elucidation. Dance and other art forms have long been a powerful way to express the pain and anxiety people experience in times of suffering. Steps in the Street (1936) is a unique interpretation of this experience.
Steps in the Street was curated for Planet Classroom by the Martha Graham Dance Company. It was choreographed by Martha Graham in 1936 with music by Wallingford Riegger. This production of the ballet features many talented Graham dancers performing on a bare stage against a plain blue background. The dancers move in groups to the music, portraying extreme emotion through their movements and the choreography. I found the technical performance of this work impressive, while also conveying a serious, compelling message.
However, I believe the message may be a bit unclear to those who do not know the history and motivation behind this dance. I would still recommend it for mature viewers and give this film 3 out of 5 stars.
Ethan Thomas is a current student at Florida State University, set to graduate in December 2022. He is double majoring in Creative Writing and Information Technology and is pursuing a career in filmmaking.
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