Letter to the World

ballet

Also known as: “The Kick”

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June 30, 2026

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Letter to the World is a ballet created by Martha Graham in 1940, also known as The Kick. It explores the life and personality of poet Emily Dickinson, with different characters representing various facets of the poet's persona.1

Martha Graham was a pioneering American dancer, teacher, and choreographer of modern dance. Her work aimed to reveal the inner self and gave modern dance a new depth for expressing primal emotions. She created over 180 works throughout her career, influencing generations of dancers and choreographers. Graham developed a unique dance technique that became a significant alternative to classical ballet, characterized by strong, angular movements and a focus on expressing intense human emotions.1

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Martha Graham
Maturity of Martha Graham
In Letter to the World (1940; also called The Kick), a work about Emily Dickinson, several characters are used to portray different aspects of the poet’s personality.
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In Letter to the World (1940; also called The Kick), a work about Emily Dickinson, several characters are used to portray different aspects of the poet’s personality.
Read More