Sophie Maslow (March 22, 1911 – June 25, 2006) was an American choreographer, modern dancer, and teacher, and a founding member of the New Dance Group. She was a first cousin of the American sculptor Leonard Baskin.
Early Life and Training
Born in New York City to Russian American parents, Maslow began her dance training with Blanche Talmud at the Neighborhood Playhouse School. Her teachers there included Martha Graham and Louis Horst. She became a member of Martha Graham's Company in 1931, performing many solo roles until 1943.
Career
Maslow created her own dance troupe, The Sophie Maslow Dance Company, and, with Jane Dudley and William Bales, established the Dudley-Maslow-Bales Trio in 1942. She helped define the New Dance Group as a performance entity dedicated to using dance to make social and political statements. In 1948, she performed and was a faculty member at the first American Dance Festival held at Connecticut College.
Her choreography often depicted working-class struggles and populist themes, frequently set to folk music. Notable works include Dust Bowl Ballads (1941), which depicted the Depression of the 1930s and the endurance of people in the American Southwest during droughts; Folksay (1942), based on Carl Sandburg's poem The People, Yes with music by Woody Guthrie; Poem (1963), with music by Duke Ellington and words by Lawrence Ferlinghetti; and the off-Broadway musical The Big Winner about a poor tailor and his winning lottery ticket.
In 1951, she choreographed for the New York City Opera (The Dybbuk). In 1952, 1955, 1956, and 1960–1962, Maslow choreographed the Hanukkah Festivals held at Madison Square Garden.
Her dances have been reconstructed and performed by CityDance Ensemble, The Harkness Ballet, The Batsheva Dance Company, and The Bat-Dor Company.
Awards and Recognition
Maslow received numerous awards throughout her career, including an honorary doctorate from Skidmore College and the Award of Artistic Achievement from the American Dance Guild (1991).
Personal Life
Maslow was Jewish. She was married to Ben (Max) Blatt; the couple had one daughter. She died on June 25, 2006, in Manhattan at age 95.
