bergenPAC Presents Paul Taylor 2 Dance Company, 3/4

Paul Taylor, considered one of the founders of modern dance, established Taylor 2 in 1993 to ensure that his works could be seen by audiences all over the world. Mr. Taylor worked with longtime colleague Linda Hodes to create a company that could accommodate performance requests as well as teach and provide community outreach. Mr. Taylor looked back to the 1954 origins of the Paul Taylor Dance Company for the structure of his new company: six professionals with a particular gift for his style who perform his work throughout the world.
Paul Taylor established Taylor 2 in 1993 to ensure that his works could be seen by audiences all over the world, unhindered by economic or technical limitations. Mr. Taylor worked with longtime colleague Linda Hodes to create a company that could accommodate performance requests as well as teach and provide community outreach. Mr. Taylor looked back to the 1954 origins of the Paul Taylor Dance Company for the structure of his new company: six professionals with a particular gift for his style who perform his work throughout the world.

Engagements are flexible and are customized to meet the needs of each community, and often consist of master classes and lecture demonstrations in addition to performances in non-traditional venues as well as theaters. In selecting repertoire for Taylor 2, Mr. Taylor chooses dances that span the broad spectrum of his work. Several of the dances performed by Taylor 2 have been re-worked from the Paul Taylor Dance Company's version to enable the smaller ensemble of dancers to perform them. Critics and audiences cheer as Taylor 2 introduces the athleticism, humor and range of emotions found in Mr. Taylor's work.

Taylor 2, which tours extensively, has had engagements in nearly 400 cities to date. In the Spring of 1994, the United States Information Agency sponsored the Company's first international tour that sent the dancers to the African nations of Mozambique, Botswana, Mauritius, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Swaziland. In January 1997 the company celebrated India 's 50 years of independence by touring in tandem with the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Taylor 2 India stops included Jamshedpur, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Pune and Lucknow. Taylor 2's widespread domestic touring has already taken the Company to 46 states. Taylor 2 has completed significant statewide tours of Alaska, California, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin. The Company has participated in a record ten New York State Long Term Residencies with support from the New York State Council on the Arts. It has also done extensive residencies in Albany, Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, St. Louis and San Francisco, teaching and performing for thousands of students.

Taylor 2's Rehearsal Directors, all distinguished former Taylor dancers, followed the inspired leadership of founding rehearsal director Linda Hodes. They have included Ruth Andrien, Richard Chen See, Mary Cochran, Patrick Corbin, Kristi Egtvedt, Francie Huber, Susan McGuire, Thomas Patrick, Sandra Stone, Kenneth Tosti and Andy LeBeau. Former Taylor dancer Ruth Andrien became Director of Taylor 2 in May 2010.

The Company celebrates its 20th Anniversary in 2013.