The Paul Taylor Dance Company performed at Lincoln Center for a three-week season that bridged the legacy of its founder with the energy of new voices. Under Artistic Director Michael Novak, the engagement featured two world premieres, a New York premiere, and a wide range of Taylor’s masterworks performed with live music by the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, conducted by David LaMarche.

This year’s programming highlighted the company’s continued evolution. Lauren Lovette and Robert Battle each presented world premieres, while Hope Boykin brought her How Love Sounds to New York for the first time. Jody Sperling’s visually rich Vive La Loïe! returned, celebrating modern dance pioneer Loïe Fuller.

Highlights of the 2025 Season

The Orchestra of St. Luke’s performed live throughout the engagement, joined by soprano Devon Guthrie and the St. George’s Choral Society.

The company’s repertory spanned Paul Taylor’s signature works — joyful, haunting, and profound — alongside premieres that reflected contemporary voices in American modern dance.

World Premieres

• Lauren Lovette – stim
  Set to Fearful Symmetries by John Adams, Lovette’s new ballet explores momentum and internal rhythm through movement that shifts between mechanical precision and emotional spontaneity.

• Robert Battle – Under the Rhythm
  A fusion of jazz, gospel, and swing influences, Battle’s choreography features music by Ella Fitzgerald, Mahalia Jackson, and Steve Reich, creating a powerful dialogue between spiritual and secular sound.

New York Premiere

• Hope Boykin – How Love Sounds
  A meditation on the language of love, set to an eclectic score ranging from Dvořák and Patsy Cline to Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, and Donna Summer.

Returning Work

• Jody Sperling – Vive La Loïe!
  A vibrant homage to Loïe Fuller, one of the earliest visionaries of light and motion in dance, combining fabric, light, and projection to dazzling effect.

Gala Evening Honoring Alex Katz

The season’s Gala Performance on November 11 honored celebrated painter Alex Katz, whose collaborations with Paul Taylor spanned 16 productions. The evening included Taylor’s lyrical Sunset and the new premieres by Lovette and Battle.

Taylor Masterworks in Rotation

Throughout the season, audiences experienced Taylor’s wide-ranging repertory, including:

• Esplanade (1975)

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• Company B (1991)

• Beloved Renegade (2008)

• Speaking in Tongues (1988)

• Offenbach Overtures (1995)

• Cloven Kingdom, Syzygy, Mercuric Tidings, and more

Each performance program blended classic Taylor works with premieres, giving audiences a fresh perspective each night.

Expanding Access

The company continued its long-standing mission to make dance accessible to a broad audience:

• Opening Night: All tickets $10

• $20 Under 40: Discounted tickets for younger patrons

• Family Express: Shorter, family-friendly matinees

• Community Outreach: Free tickets and workshops for NYC schools and partner organizations

Continuing the Legacy

As Paul Taylor’s vision continues to inspire new generations, the 2025 Lincoln Center season celebrated the enduring relevance of modern dance. From Taylor’s timeless choreography to today’s bold new voices, each performance honored movement as both art and human expression.

For information on current programing, visit www.paultaylordance.org.