Paul Taylor - One of the Foremost American Choreographers of the 20th Century, Family and Family
Paul Taylor's Personal Details
Paul Taylor is one of the most illustrious American choreographers of the 20th century
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | July 29, 1930 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Atheists, Atheists/Agnostics, Juilliard School, Syracuse University, Yale University, Dancers, Choreographers, One of the Foremost American Choreographers of the 20th Century |
| Spouses | Stefanie |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Founder / Co-Founder |
|
| Birth Place | Pittsburgh |
| Gender | Male |
| Sun Sign | Leo |
| Born in | Pittsburgh |
| Famous as | One of the foremost American choreographers of the 20th century |
Paul Taylor's photo
Who is Paul Taylor?
Paul Taylor’s name is synonymous with ‘modern choreography’ in America. Considered a leading choreographer of the 20th century, Taylor is among the last active members of the second group of America’s dance artistes. His radical choreographies were centered on romantic, sexual and comical themes. He is known as the man who launched a number of dancing talents. Some of his famous choreographies struck ‘gold’ and were hits with the audience and at times, sent audiences running amok to the exits. His wide repertoire of choreographies includes ‘Esplanade’, ‘Aureole’, ‘3 Epitaphs’, ‘Scudorama’ and ‘Speaking in Tongues’ to name a few. He has also had the privilege of working with a number of artistes including Gene Moore, John Rawlings, Santo Loquasto, Thomas Skelton, Jasper Johns and Matthew Diamond. He has won many honors and awards such as the Emmy Award and the National Medal of Arts. Despite attracting a fair amount of negative criticism for his works, he remained one of the most unflinching and the bravest choreographers who exploited a wide range of themes on stage, and is to date, considered an American dance icon.
// Famous Syracuse University
Al-Waleed bin Talal
Al Waleed Bin Talal is the owner of ‘Kingdom Holding Company’ and is one of the richest individuals in the world. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, career, profile & timeline
Shirley Jackson
Shirley Jackson was an American author of novels and short stories. This biography of Shirley Jackson provides detailed information about her childhood, life, writing career and timeline.
Vera Farmiga
Vera Farmiga is a Ukrainian-American actress and producer. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Childhood & Early Life
Paul Taylor was born on July 29, 1930 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during the period of the ‘Great Depression’ in the United States. He was raised in Washington D.C.
In the 1940s, he studied at Syracuse University, where he was a swimmer and was also into painting. During his time at the university, he read up a few books on dance and immediately applied to Juilliard School.
He obtained a B.S. degree in dance from Juilliard in 1953 and had the opportunity to train under the legend, Martha Hill. The following year, he formed his own troupe of dancers and began to put together his first pieces of dance work.
Career
He joined the Martha Graham Dance Company in 1955 as a soloist, while he continued to tutor and mentor his group. The following year, he choreographed his first comedy piece, which became a huge hit called, ‘3 Epitaphs’.
In 1959, he was invited by Balanchine to be a guest artist with New York City Ballet. He performed with his troupe for the first time the following year, in Europe.
In 1962, he enchanted dance lovers with the choreography of, ‘Aureole’, which was set to contemporary music.
In 1963, he choreographed, ‘Scudorama’, which was an ‘apocalyptic’ piece and was considered to be the first of his ‘dark’ pieces in contrast to ‘Aureole’, which was ‘sunny’. Two years later, he toured the whole of South America under the International Cultural Exchange Program of the US State Department.
He shot to both fame and notoriety after one of his boldest choreographies ‘Big Bertha’ debuted on stage. The choreography was centered on the theme of ‘incest’, which appalled and amazed different audiences.
In 1971, he choreographed the piece, ‘The Book of Beasts’. Three years later, he retired from performing himself and decided to focus more on his dance productions with his troupe.
In 1975, he created the classic, ‘Esplanade’, which to date, remains his dance masterwork. The next year, he examined the true nature of humans under a sophisticated mask in the complex, ‘Cloven Kingdom’.
From 1977 to 1980, he choreographed a number of critically-acclaimed pieces including ‘Aphrodisiamania’, ‘Airs’, ‘Nightshade’ and ‘Le Sacre de Printemps’. During this period, he also toured the USSR and appeared on the US public-television network.
In 1985, he choreographed ‘Last Look’ and three years later, he focused on the themes of marital rape and hypocrisy in ‘Speaking in Tongues’.
He arranged another dance piece called ‘Company B’, which premiered in 1991. Seven years later, he focused on how people dimly conformed to authority in the heart-wrenching production, ‘The Word’.
In the new millennium, he condemned American ‘imperialism’ in the pieces, ‘Banquet of Vultures’ and brought out the theme of ‘feminism’ in ‘Dream Girls’. He also drew on heavy themes for ‘Beloved Renegade’, a work that was critically appreciated.
From 2009 to 2011, he focused on a very meaningful yet modern pressing theme - infidelity. He touched upon this theme in two of his important works, ‘Brief Encounters’ and ‘The Uncommitted’.
Major Works
In 1962, he created one of his most famous dance pieces, ‘Aureole’, which was his first major success. He set his trailblazing modern movement to a contemporary score but to a music composed 200 years earlier. This choreography became an instant classic and was even used for ballet productions by the Paris Opera Ballet and the Royal Danish Ballet, much later.
Awards & Achievements
He is the recipient of 3 Guggenheim Fellowships and a number of honorary doctorates and fine arts degrees.
In 1969, he was knighted by the French government as ‘Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’.
In 1989, he was one of the few elected members of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.
He won an Emmy Award for ‘Speaking in Tongues’, which was produced by WNET/New York.
In 1992, he received the Kennedy Center honors.
In 1995, he received the Algur H. Meadows Award for ‘Excellence in the Arts’.
He was presented the ‘Legion d’Honneur’ for his ‘exceptional contributions to French culture’, in 2000.
Personal Life & Legacy
He formed the ‘Paul Taylor Dance Company’ in 1954, which is considered one of the premier dance institutes of the 20th century. The company has performed in more than 500 cities in 62 countries.
He has worked closely with other dancers/choreographers including Martha Graham, Laura Dean, Dan Wagoner, Elizabeth Keen, Senta Driver and Lila York.
The ‘Paul Taylor Dance Foundation’ was established to help promote Taylor’s works to the largest possible audiences around the globe.
In 1993, he formed ‘Taylor 2’, which continues to bring the choreographer’s masterworks to smaller places around the world. ‘Taylor 2’ also teaches his dance style in a number of educational institutions and community gatherings.
Trivia
This famous choreographer’s licensed choreography, ‘Aureole’, is performed by nearly 75 dance institutions worldwide.
// Famous Juilliard School
Oscar Isaac
Oscar Isaac is a Guatemalan-American actor and a musician. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about his life.
Andre Braugher
Andre Braugher is an American actor. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis is a renowned American actress as well as producer. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about her life.
Paul Taylor's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Other | ||
| 0 | - New York City Mayor's Award of Honor for Art and Culture | |
| 1992 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography | |
| 0 | 1992 - Emmy Award for Speaking in Tongues | |
| 0 | 1993 - National Medal of Arts | |
| 0 | - New York State Governor's Arts Award | |
Paul Taylor biography timelines
- // 29th Jul 1930Paul Taylor was born on July 29, 1930 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during the period of the ‘Great Depression’ in the United States. He was raised in Washington D.C.
- // 1953He obtained a B.S. degree in dance from Juilliard in 1953 and had the opportunity to train under the legend, Martha Hill. The following year, he formed his own troupe of dancers and began to put together his first pieces of dance work.
- // 1954He formed the ‘Paul Taylor Dance Company’ in 1954, which is considered one of the premier dance institutes of the 20th century. The company has performed in more than 500 cities in 62 countries.
- // 1955He joined the Martha Graham Dance Company in 1955 as a soloist, while he continued to tutor and mentor his group. The following year, he choreographed his first comedy piece, which became a huge hit called, ‘3 Epitaphs’.
- // 1959In 1959, he was invited by Balanchine to be a guest artist with New York City Ballet. He performed with his troupe for the first time the following year, in Europe.
- // 1962In 1962, he enchanted dance lovers with the choreography of, ‘Aureole’, which was set to contemporary music.
- // 1962In 1962, he created one of his most famous dance pieces, ‘Aureole’, which was his first major success. He set his trailblazing modern movement to a contemporary score but to a music composed 200 years earlier. This choreography became an instant classic and was even used for ballet productions by the Paris Opera Ballet and the Royal Danish Ballet, much later.
- // 1963In 1963, he choreographed, ‘Scudorama’, which was an ‘apocalyptic’ piece and was considered to be the first of his ‘dark’ pieces in contrast to ‘Aureole’, which was ‘sunny’. Two years later, he toured the whole of South America under the International Cultural Exchange Program of the US State Department.
- // 1969In 1969, he was knighted by the French government as ‘Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’.
- // 1971In 1971, he choreographed the piece, ‘The Book of Beasts’. Three years later, he retired from performing himself and decided to focus more on his dance productions with his troupe.
- // 1975In 1975, he created the classic, ‘Esplanade’, which to date, remains his dance masterwork. The next year, he examined the true nature of humans under a sophisticated mask in the complex, ‘Cloven Kingdom’.
- // 1977 To 1980From 1977 to 1980, he choreographed a number of critically-acclaimed pieces including ‘Aphrodisiamania’, ‘Airs’, ‘Nightshade’ and ‘Le Sacre de Printemps’. During this period, he also toured the USSR and appeared on the US public-television network.
- // 1985In 1985, he choreographed ‘Last Look’ and three years later, he focused on the themes of marital rape and hypocrisy in ‘Speaking in Tongues’.
- // 1989In 1989, he was one of the few elected members of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.
- // 1991He arranged another dance piece called ‘Company B’, which premiered in 1991. Seven years later, he focused on how people dimly conformed to authority in the heart-wrenching production, ‘The Word’.
- // 1992In 1992, he received the Kennedy Center honors.
- // 1993In 1993, he formed ‘Taylor 2’, which continues to bring the choreographer’s masterworks to smaller places around the world. ‘Taylor 2’ also teaches his dance style in a number of educational institutions and community gatherings.
- // 1995In 1995, he received the Algur H. Meadows Award for ‘Excellence in the Arts’.
- // 2000He was presented the ‘Legion d’Honneur’ for his ‘exceptional contributions to French culture’, in 2000.
- // 2009 To 2011From 2009 to 2011, he focused on a very meaningful yet modern pressing theme - infidelity. He touched upon this theme in two of his important works, ‘Brief Encounters’ and ‘The Uncommitted’.
// Famous Atheists/Agnostics
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman is an Academy Award winning actor known for his work in movies like ‘Street Smart’, ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ and ‘Million Dollar Baby’. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Stanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick was a screenwriter and film director known for his movies like ‘The Clockwork Orange’ and ‘The Shining’. This biography of Stanley Kubrick provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry is a comedian, actor, author, television and radio presenter. Read the biography and know all about his childhood, career, profile and timeline.
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt is a famous American actor, known for his movies, ‘Ocean’s Eleven’, ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’, and ‘World War Z’. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, profile, career and timeline
Sarah Silverman
Sarah Silverman is a stand-up comedienne known for her performances in television shows and films. This biography provides detailed information on her childhood, life, career, achievements and timeline.
John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck was a celebrated American writer famous for his novel, ‘The Grapes of Wrath’. Read on for detailed information about his childhood, profile, career and timeline
Paul Taylor's FAQ
What is Paul Taylor birthday?
Paul Taylor was born at 1930-07-29
Where is Paul Taylor's birth place?
Paul Taylor was born in Pittsburgh
What is Paul Taylor nationalities?
Paul Taylor's nationalities is American
Who is Paul Taylor spouses?
Paul Taylor's spouses is Stefanie
What was Paul Taylor universities?
Paul Taylor studied at Juilliard School,Syracuse University,Yale University, BA American Studies, Yale University (1970), Syracuse University
What was Paul Taylor notable alumnis?
Paul Taylor's notable alumnis is Juilliard School, Syracuse University, Yale University
Which company or organization was founded by Paul Taylor?
Paul Taylor was the founder/co-founder of Paul Taylor Dance Company
What is Paul Taylor's sun sign?
Paul Taylor is Leo
How famous is Paul Taylor?
Paul Taylor is famouse as One of the foremost American choreographers of the 20th century