Robert Battle Leads Paul Taylor Dance Company into New Era
- The Paul Taylor Dance Company is presenting new works and has a renewed focus on expansion this season.
- Robert Battle has been appointed as resident choreographer, succeeding Lauren Lovette.
- The new works performed highlight the challenge of balancing innovative choreography while honoring the legacy of Paul Taylor.
The Paul Taylor Dance Company returned to Lincoln Center with a fresh lineup featuring four premieres and a significant leadership change. Robert Battle, the former artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, has joined as the new resident choreographer, a role previously held by Lauren Lovette since 2022. The company is seeking to expand its repertory and embrace new directions while honoring the legacy of its late founder, Paul Taylor, who passed away in 2018. This season’s performances showcased the tension between the need for innovative choreography and the enduring influence of Taylor’s work. Initial reactions to Battle’s tribute piece indicated that while he carries Taylor’s stylistic influences, his approach may need further development to truly innovate within the company’s established identity and repertoire.