One of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century, Martha Graham (1894–1991) helped lead the American modern dance revolution, breaking from the traditions of classical ballet as well as the romantic style of earlier modern dance pioneers. The Pennsylvania native came to dance relatively late: At 22 she began studying with Ruth St. Denis […]
Need something fabulous to do this week? We’ve got you covered. Here are five dance performances happening in NYC between now and Sunday, June 16, that you should check out. You’re welcome! Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at Lincoln Center June 12–16 Website David H. Koch Theater: 20 Lincoln Center, New York, NY Alvin Ailey […]
Margie Gillis dances the human experience. Undulating naked in a field of billowing grass in Lessons from Nature 4, or whirling in a sweep of lilac fabric in her signature work Slipstream, her movement is free of flashy technique and tricks, but driven and defined by emotion. “There’s a central philosophy in my work about […]
A person’s walk is like a fingerprint, according to four Paul Taylor dancers who are stepping on without their beloved choreographer. Taylor died August 29, passing the legacy of Paul Taylor American Modern Dance to Michael Novak, the second artistic director in the company’s history. “Human movement never lies,” says Novak, who sometimes slipped into […]
Unlike a usual waltz, in which the lift and dip would come from the legs, this waltz from Paul Taylor’s Cloven Kingdom (1976) requires the up-and-down motion to come solely from the torso. The legs remain in plié the entire time, eating space. (When this piece is performed, dancers traverse the length of the stage […]
For 10 years, Paul Taylor Dance Company’s Heather McGinley trained intensively in Cecchetti technique with Lisbeth Brown in St. Louis. Brown encouraged her to showcase her strengths. “She emphasized that the technique was important, but to always keep in mind that it was a vehicle for expression. She always encouraged me to be myself, rather […]
Renee Robinson and Troy Powell in Donald McKayle’s Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder It’s Paul Taylor month! Not only is he featured in our March issue’s history column, but the Paul Taylor American Modern Dance’s Lincoln Center season begins on March 15. What better way to get into the Taylor spirit than to learn repertory that will […]
Paul Taylor Creative Domain: The master reveals his craft DVD Go behind the scenes with Paul Taylor and his dancers as they create his 133rd dance, Three Dubious Memories. Enter below to win a DVD! [formidable id=88]
Kleinendorst in Company B During his first year dancing with Taylor 2, Robert Kleinendorst—now with Paul Taylor’s main company—quickly learned that Taylor 2 director Mary Cochran wouldn’t accept any excuses. “She gave me a note to correct something in a rehearsal once, and I fixed it, but then messed up right after that. After the […]
This just in: Former Paul Taylor Dance Company member Raegan Wood (DT March 2012) is the new director of The Taylor School! Wood created a children’s curriculum for the school in 2010, and she teaches all levels of students, while working on a K–12 curriculum for the company’s outreach program. In this video, Wood and […]