Sokolow, Anna

Sokolow, Anna

(1910– ) modern dancer, choreographer, teacher; born in Hartford, Conn. A student and member of Martha Graham's company from 1930–39, she formed her own dance group in 1934. Invited to perform in Mexico in 1939, she stayed on to develop that country's first modern dance company, returning yearly to train dancers during the 1940s; she also helped form an Israeli modern dance company in the 1950s and taught in the United States as well, training some who became leading choreographers. A choreographer for over 50 years, she worked with ballet and modern dance companies, Broadway theater, and the New York City Opera. Many of her pieces have political themes, such as Rooms (1955), about the Holocaust, and "Kurt Weill" (1988), about war atrocities.