Paul Taylor Dance Company

The genesis of the Paul Taylor Dance Company occurred on May 30, 1954, when dancemaker Paul Taylor first presented his choreography with five other dancers on the Lower East Side. That performance marked the beginning of 64 years of unrivaled creativity, and in the decades that followed, Mr. Taylor became a cultural icon and one of American history’s most celebrated artists and was part of the pantheon that created American modern dance. Leading the Company that bears his name until his death in 2018, Mr. Taylor molded it into one of the preeminent performing ensembles in the world. Under the artistic direction of Taylor alumnus Michael Novak, the Company continues to bring “America’s most communicative and wildly theatrical modern dance” to audiences and students around the world, with a yearly residency at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

The Company, and its prodigious school, currently reside in the Lower East Side of Manhattan but sustains a global presence through its robust touring programs. Since its first European tour in 1960, the Company has performed in more than 600 cities in 66 countries.

The hallmark of the Company is its ever-expanding repertory. Over 170 dances exist within the Foundation’s canon, 147 of which were choreographed by Mr. Taylor. The body of Mr. Taylor’s work is home to dances that cover a breathtaking range of topics, themes, and moods. While some of these dances are termed “dark” and others “light,” the majority are dualistic, mixing elements of both extremes.

In addition, the Company commissions dance works from established and emerging choreographers. In 2022, Lauren Lovette was appointed the Company’s first Resident Choreographer, ushering in a new era.