Marvin Preston IV: A Legacy in Dance Administration
Marvin Preston IV, a remarkable figure in the realm of arts management, passed away on September 30 at his home in Princeton, N.J., at the age of 80. His son, Christopher, revealed that the cause of death was primary progressive apraxia, a neurodegenerative condition.
In 2000, Preston took on the role of executive director of the illustrious Martha Graham Dance Company, where he applied his expertise in rescuing distressed tech companies to the world of performing arts. Under his leadership, the organization underwent a transformative journey towards financial stability, employing a combination of innovative budgetary strategies and legal maneuvers.
Martha Graham, who passed away in 1991 at the age of 96, is celebrated as one of the preeminent choreographers of the 20th century. She left behind an extensive repertoire of iconic dances, along with the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance, which encompasses both a prestigious school and a renowned performing company. Following her death, Ron Protas, a close confidant and heir, assumed control of the organization. However, the company faced significant financial difficulties in the years that followed, leading many to speculate about its viability into the next century.
In a pivotal year, 1998, the company made the difficult decision to sell its historic headquarters on Manhattan’s Upper East Side in order to settle its debts. This drastic measure left the organization with almost no capital and necessitated a move to the West Village.
It was at this critical juncture that Mr. Preston entered the scene. Despite possessing a wealth of experience as a business consultant and a passion for music, he had no prior background in arts administration. Upon assuming control of the company, he promised to implement swift yet challenging measures aimed at recovery—and he wasted no time in delivering on that promise.
- One of his initial actions involved removing Mr. Protas from multiple roles within the organization.
- The board of trustees subsequently decided to pause operations and withdraw from various scheduled performances.
- In addition, numerous expenses were slashed, several staff members were laid off, and the organization entered a phase of suspended animation.
“We have to be responsible,” Preston emphasized in an interview with The New York Times in 2000, highlighting the necessity of tough decisions in difficult times.
In response to these drastic changes, Mr. Protas retaliated by cutting off the company’s access to Martha Graham’s beloved repertoire, claiming control over it as the executor of her estate through the Martha Graham Trust. According to a contract established in 1999, the company had been compensating the trust with an annual fee of $1 for the rights to perform her works, alongside a $100,000 annual salary for Mr. Protas.
Preston’s tenure marked a significant chapter in the history of the Martha Graham Dance Company, as he navigated through tumultuous waters to restore its legacy and ensure its future.
