Paul Taylor Dance Company, Paul Taylor Dance Foundation and AIA Grand Theater Shanghai and Zhuhai Jinwan Art Center

Paul Taylor Dance Company's "Dance of Life" Tour to China 2024

Time period: 12.5-12.15

Shanghai-Zhuhai Review

Founded in New York City in 1954 by choreographer Paul Taylor, the Paul Taylor Dance Company is a seminal group in American modern dance.Taylor continued to lead the company as Artistic Director until his death in 2018, and is now under the artistic direction of Michael Novak.Headquartered on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the company is in residence at Lincoln Center and has toured to more than 600 cities in 66 countries, including more than 40 festivals, and has toured to China, South America, Europe, and other places to promote modern dance through performances and educational programs.The company now has a repertoire of more than 170 works, 147 of which were created by Taylor, with themes ranging from nature, American history, and philosophies of life, and is known for its dialectical unity of "darkness" and "light," forming the unique "Taylor Series" artistic system.As one of the world's leading modern dance companies, the company's works are characterized by both dramatic tension and artistic expression, and continue to influence the development of contemporary dance.Today, the company is known for its innovative style and virtuosity, and its team of dancers has been described as "the most beautiful men and the healthiest girls in the world".

As one of the world's top modern dance companies, in December 2024, Paul Taylor Dance Company re-opened a new round of China tour after many years. In ten days, the company, led by the second generation of Paul Taylor Dance Company's Artistic Director, Michael Novak, traveled through Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Zhuhai, and performed in three cities, from the round-table dialogues in the bookstore, to the sharing of teaching in the art colleges and universities, and then to the interpretation of the Grand Theater.The company has brought fine works to 5,000+ people.

Paul Taylor Contemporary Dance Company presents "The Dance of Life" on December 5-6, 2024 at the AIA Grand Theater Shanghai.Before the performance, in order to deepen the discussion and exchange of modern dance vocabulary, a roundtable dialogue was held on December 4 at CITIC Bookstore Pujiang, where Artistic Director Michael Novak, Rehearsal Director Cathy McCann, and Director Song Xinxin discussed the creative concept of "Dance of Life".They discussed the concept of "Dance of Life" and analyzed how modern dance can show the light of human nature through body language, presenting the audience with a profound dialogue between art and life.

At the end of the performance, the troupe came to Hangzhou, December 8, Hangzhou Normal University Conservatory of Music, Department of Dance invited the troupe to carry out international dance exchange workshop.This activity aims to promote the construction of provincial first-class undergraduate program of the dance department and enhance the level of international cooperation.The Dance Company sent excellent dancers to provide on-site guidance to help students expand their artistic horizons and innovative thinking through modern dance technique teaching, physical potential development and other practical sessions.The workshop focuses on exploring new paths of dance training, providing opportunities for teachers and students to have in-depth exchanges with top international dancers, and helping the innovative development of dance education in the college.

On December 10, Paul Taylor Dance Company landed at the Academic Hall of Westlake University's Yungu Campus, bringing three signature works: "Rhythm of Light", "Dust", and "Prometheus' Fire".These classic works, created in different periods, skillfully fused classical music, poetic imagery and historical narratives, comprehensively demonstrated the artistic charm of modern dance, and brought a high-level artistic feast to teachers and students of colleges and universities.

The performance came to the last city - Zhuhai, on December 13, Jinwan Art Center - Multi-function Hall held a dance company exchange activities.The internationally renowned Paul Taylor Dance Company and Shenzhen Contemporary Dance Company were invited to exchange on the same stage. Mr. Wan Zehe, Deputy General Manager of Jinwan Art Center, firstly made a welcome speech, emphasizing the important role of dance in promoting cross-cultural communication.Paul Taylor Dance Company Artistic Director Michael Novak, Rehearsal Director Kathy McCann and Shenzhen Contemporary Dance Company Founder Hu Shenmei also shared their views on the exchange, followed by a wonderful physical training demonstration by dancers from both companies and an in-depth discussion on the theme of "Life Expression and Cultural Inheritance in Dance", which resulted in a cultural feast full of artistic collisions.

On December 14th and 15th, Paul Taylor Dance Company completed the last stop of its tour in China at Jinwan Art Center - Grand Theater, bringing wonderful performances with the themes of "Dance of Life - Garden" and "Dance of Life - Flame" respectively.Through the exquisite skills and infectious performances of the dancers, the two performances brought the audience an artistic experience of modern dance full of humanistic warmth in this winter, touching every audience.

OuYiVision would like to sincerely thank Shanghai North Bund AIA Theater, CITIC Bookstore, Xihu University, and Zhuhai Jinwan Art Center for their great efforts in hosting the event, as well as the enthusiastic support of all the online and offline audiences, and all the staff for their hard work, and we look forward to seeing the charm of dance blossoming in the next time!

Founding Artistic Director: Paul Taylor

Artistic Director: Michael Novak

Resident Choreographer: Lauren Lovett

Rehearsal Directors: Betty DeJong and Kathy McCann

Principal Lighting Designers: Jennifer Tipton and James F. Ingalls.

Principal Set and Costume Designers: St. LoCasso and William Ivey Long.

Executive Director: John Tomlinson

Shanghai - AIA Grand Theater Shanghai

2024.12.5

2024.12.6

Zhuhai - Zhuhai Jinwan Art Center

2024.12.14

2024.12.15

Program

Day1

1、ARDEN COURT

2、SYZYGY

3、ESPLANADE

Day2

1、AUREOLE

2、Dust

3、Promethean Fire