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March 11, 2026
Texas Ballet Theater’s (TBT) upcoming mixed-repertoire production, Diversions, includes four diverse works: Violin Concerto in D, Diversion of Angels, Bolero, and Company B. Serving as the program’s centerpiece, Diversion of Angels by legendary choreographer Martha Graham is set to a romantic score composed by Norman Dello Joio and explores the theme of love in its various forms, from youthful flirtation to fiery passion to mature, enduring love.
This is TBT’s second consecutive year to feature works by Graham, whose innovative choreography shaped modern dance. Her signature Graham technique is characterized by contraction and release, using different parts of the body in opposition to one another to create spirals for dramatic tension.
To stage Diversion of Angels, TBT partnered with Masha Maddux, a professional concert dance performer, educator, and regisseur with the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance.
Inspired by Graham
Maddux was first introduced to Graham technique in high school at New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida. Her early exposure to Graham’s work set the stage for her career trajectory.
“Even at a younger age, I could sense something about Martha Graham’s approach to physicality, and her artful way of weaving movement and human emotions was strikingly different,” Maddux said. “There was something so demanding in the pursuit of not just physical technical abilities but of honesty and clarity of expression of complex human emotion.”
After graduating from college, Maddux joined the Martha Graham Dance Company in 2007. She rose to the rank of principal dancer, performing lead roles in classical Graham repertoire.
“A lot of studying went into understanding the physiological intricacies of Graham’s characters. The journey to reveal the complex depths of these roles through movement was truly remarkable,” Maddux shared. “Many of these ballets carried a deep and long-lasting impact on me as a dancer. It became knowledge I carried to subsequent roles, emboldening my artistic voice and shaping my embodied expression as a performer.”
Portraying the Woman in Red
Among Maddux’s most memorable performances was the role of the Woman in Red in Diversion of Angels. In the ballet, Graham used color to symbolically distinguish between the different forms of love portrayed—yellow to represent innocent flirtation, red to represent passion, and white to represent mature love.
Maddux describes Diversion of Angels as “joyful, bright, and artfully highlighting all the beautiful stages of falling and being in love.”
“Diversion of Angels was one of my favorite ballets to perform, and I have had the honor of performing the role of the Woman in Red as well as a chorus dancer,” she said. “This role was challenging for many reasons, as the Woman in Red has a certain aura of mystery and intrigue as well as a sense of understanding of the power of attraction.
I deeply enjoyed the challenge of performing this role. It required an exploration of feminine allure and flirtatious charm, as well as the intricacies of movement to accentuate the subtleties of her character,” Maddux explained.
Partnering with TBT
Maddux brings her personal experience with Diversion of Angels to the partnership with TBT, giving her a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the ballet. This is Maddux’s second time to stage Graham’s work for TBT.
“It has been such a pleasure to be back with TBT, as the dancers are outstanding, dedicated to the process, and eager to learn and explore,” she said. “So much of the success of such staging projects relies heavily on the dancers’ understanding of Graham technique.”
Staging the piece requires reinforcing the basics of the Graham technique to assist in teaching the repertory from a common point of departure, Maddux shared.
“A wonderful surprise this year was just how much knowledge the dancers have retained from when I worked with them last year, making a huge difference. I appreciated the dancers taking the already acquired knowledge and diving in even deeper with every class and every rehearsal. These dancers are truly remarkable!”
Beyond technical mastery, Maddux emphasizes the emotional depth required of the dancers. One of the most significant aspects of learning the piece is discovering its artistic flavor and guiding performers through the emotional subtleties of their characters. To do this, Maddux likes to bring in photographs, paintings, poetry, and texts relating to the subject, while asking the dancers to use their imaginations and see themselves in a different location outside of the studio.
“There are many approaches to draw on personal experiences of the dancers to bring out the humanity of their character, and this part takes time. The process is multilayered and asks for a great deal of vulnerability from the dancers. But it is so rewarding on both sides of the studio to see when the movement, thought, and intention come together in a beautiful and honest harmony,” Maddux shared.
Martha Graham Dance Company Celebrates 100 Years
TBT’s production of Diversion of Angels coincides with the centennial of the Martha Graham Dance Company. The milestone underscores Graham’s enduring legacy and the continued relevance of her repertory. Having worked with several ballet companies to stage Graham’s work, Maddux is inspired to see more artists embracing the iconic technique and expressive, emotionally demanding choreography.
“There is something unique and profoundly human about Martha Graham’s body of work that continues to inspire so many established as well as emerging artists to study her technique, explore her choreography, and contribute to her legacy. Choreographers should take this as a lesson and inspiration to boldly create dance that is meaningful, visceral, honest, and clear in its intention and message.”
Remaining performances of Diversions are March 13–15 at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the TBT Box Office at 877-828-9200 (Option 1).
