Lindsay Live Interview with Paul Taylor

Lindsay Live | Feb 26, 2008 | 0

Last Thursday, I met up with Paul Taylor to discuss his life as a modern dance choreographer as well as his company's upcoming season which starts February 28 at City Center .

As you can imagine, I was more than slightly nervous! Although I read his autobiography and studied his works extensively in college, Taylor's existence still seemed somewhat illusive to me. It was more than not being able to entirely grasp the eccentricity of his choreography; simply put, it was everything about him. In class discussions at Barnard, he often took on a larger-than-life persona, someone capable of solving all of the world's problems through the exploration of dance. A kind of dance deity. I mean, he was Paul Taylor, after all. Never did I anticipate meeting this mystery movement maker, let alone speaking with him one-on-one at his incredible Soho studio for an on-camera interview.

Humbled in the presence of dance greatness, I tried to maintain my composure despite the butterflies performing "Cloven Kingdom" in my stomach. I had no idea what to expect, but Paul was kind, gentle, and his blue eyes lit up when he explained the motivation behind his craft. By the end of our conversation, I came to realize that Paul is not the illusive deity I anticipated, but rather the personification of the definition of art. He speaks the language of dance, and while I still put him on a much deserved choreographic pedestal, I am finally beginning to understand what he is saying.

I hope this interview gives you something of a glimpse into the life and work of Paul Taylor.

The Paul Taylor Dance Company City Center season runs from February 28 - March 16.

Below is the remainder of the 2008 performance schedule:

Mar 26    Syracuse, NY
     Landmark Theater

Mar 29    Erie, PA
     Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center

Apr 1    Johnstown, PA
     Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center

Apr 3    Huntingdon, PA
     Halbritter Center for the Performing Arts

Apr 5    Bloomsburg, PA
     Mitrani Hall

Apr 8    Easton, PA
     Williams Center for the Arts

Apr 10    Kutztown, PA
     Schaeffer Auditorium

Apr 11 - Apr 12    Harrisburg, PA
     The Rose Lehrman Arts Center

Apr 15    Wilkes-Barre, PA
     F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts

Apr 17 - Apr 19    Philadelphia, PA
     Annenberg Center

Apr 21    Mercersberg, PA
     Burgin Center for the Arts

Apr 22    Shippensburg, PA
     H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center

May 1 - May 3    Seattle, WA
     Meany Hall

May 9 - May 10    Baltimore, MD
     University of Maryland, Baltimore County

For more information on Paul Taylor Dance Company, visit their website at www.ptdc.org.

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Modern, Enthusiast, Performance, City Center, Interview, Paul Taylor (all tags)