Private Domain: An Autobiography

by Paul Taylor

Taylor explores aspects of himself that have affected his work. He delves into the creation of Aureole and From Sea to Shining Sea, from their initial inception to the ways in which specific dancers influenced the choreography, including such notables as Pina Bausch, Laura Dean, David Parsons, Twyla Tharp, Dan Wagoner, Senta Driver—all of whom went on to form their own companies—and others—Bettie de Jong, Nicholas Gunn, and Carolyn Adams—who remained as much a part of the Taylor style as the choreography itself. Taylor writes with sincerity, wit, and charm of his associations with Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Jerome Robbins, Anthony Tudor, George Balanchine, and many others.

Genres: American, Memoir

406 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Paul Taylor is one of the foremost American choreographers of our time. He began his career in the 1950s as a dancer and choreographer, retiring from performing in 1974. Known for his edginess and willingness to address the most sensitive of subjects, his dances often deal with man’s place within nature, love and sexuality, life and death, and iconic moments of American history. Taylor has received a plethora of awards, including an Emmy in 1992 and the National Medal of Arts in 1993. See also the Paul Taylor Dance Company website: www.ptdc.org.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The renowned dancer Paul Taylor chronicles his career in dance in this event dense by immensely readable autobiography. From his early years he takes the reader back to his beginnings which were complex as he tried to find his footing in the world. Paul Taylor tells of the development of his passion for dance and how he created his own dance troupe filled with gifted dancers. They traveled the world performing for decades enthralling audiences with steps that looked like gossamer leaps but were in truth steps gained through discipline and sacrifice. Paul Taylor is the recipient of many prestigious awards including the Kennedy Center Honors for " enhancing the lives of people around the world and enriching the culture of the nation"; and the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship and the Samuel H. Scripps ADF Award for Lifetime achievement. In 1998 Private Domain was nominated by the National Book Critics Circle as the most distinguished biography of 1987. Reading this book is educational because it introduces the reader to the rigors and rewards of the Dance Profession which will increase respect for the gorgeous art form.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

After seeing a Paul Taylor dance performance I picked up this autobiography from the library and really enjoyed his quiet humor, imagination, and creativity throughout. It spans his life until 1976 or so and really gives a nice picture of his personality and how he unexpectedly would come to create his own dance company, in a rather unassuming sort of way and in the midst of many hardships. At heart he was a dancer, rather than a choreographer and his love to dance (rather than love "for" dance,) is what shaped his works.

I especially liked his endearing, lasting and sometimes complicated relationships described with his beloved lifetime companion of "Dr. Tacet," Babe, and his dear Bet. These were very heart warming and really helped to drive the action of the book. Without PT's imagination, wit, and creativity this autobiography would be a dry collection of successes and failures, describing only an ascent into dance-world popularity and high acclaim. However, his story gives us a more human picture of an artist with whom you'd just like to have a cup of coffee and share a laugh or two.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

unfinished

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

When modern dance pioneer Paul Taylor died last year, I read that his autobiography was widely considered the best book about modern dance. I had to wait about 8 months for this to become available in the library, and finally finished it. It's well-written and very interesting. Paul Taylor had a fierce desire to dance and a strong independent streak. He started in Martha Graham's troupe, but left after a few years to form his own. This book is the story of his journey, including many years of touring around the world.

[Z ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 and a half because incredible stories of the touring life and everything but also he was not that great of a guy like coulda had a bit more empathy and humanity

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally I really enjoyed this book because of the commonalities between Taylor and myself, yes there are a few, and not just that we dance. Part of his childhood was spent in Edgewater, Maryland. He spent some of his high school years in Lynchburg, Virginia. He must dance (despite having no previous training - not a similarity), and is fascinated by Martha Graham. He is one of the lucky ones that he's wanted by Martha, no matter his background, probably just because he's tall and reasonably handsome. But he's in her company (which performs, or at least new works are created less frequently than I imagined) and we are both connected with Ethel Winter (she taught at R-MWC my sophomore year) and Helen McGehee (who graduated from and danced at R-MWC in LBurg). He also mentions Ethel Butler who was a teacher of my first modern teacher. I'm curious if he knew Diane Grey at all. I love hearing his perspectives on the character of those women as people and dancers. They are probably all around 90 now and at least Helen is still fierce. We seem to be of one mind that Martha's first dances are the best. The Greek dances are incredible but the creations of her own mind show her better. It's also agreed that she's amazing and over the top and could leave others incredulous in personal communications.

Besides all those things, it's a great story. It doesn't read as a boring [auto:]biography. Honestly I haven't read many, just about Martha I think, by herself and by Agnes De Mille. It doesn't just tell what he did and where he went. It's a story - he grows from childhood full of boyish interests and energy, full of love for his mother, becomes a mischief-maker as he ages, goes to Syracuse (my SIL is an alumna) because it was the only one recommended to him, and then realizes he must dance. His writing is colorful, full of the crazy people he meets and befriends, and the jobs he has to take to stay afloat, and it's just funny. He creates a persona that he blames for all his many of his antics. It reads in a way that feels so personal - that if you're up to the work and challenges, anyone with the zeal could do this - not as if written by a 2nd or 3rd generation legendary pioneer dancer/choreographer.

When I was a senior in college, one of his current or recent dancers came to teach. The company was holding a cattle-call audition and the teacher said I should go for it and try out. In New York I took a class at the Graham studio and went through the first segment of the Taylor audition. I wish I'd been able to spend more time, being in his studios (it was tricky getting into the building), seeing him, learning choreography. It went to fast, we weren't allowed to really ask questions for clarity, but with so many people they'd want to see who could pick it up quickly and who demonstrated similar movement. Getting the choreography didn't work but I attempted to relax with the more familiar across-the-floor. Figures it was after I graduated that the dancers at R-MWC performed one of his and one of Martha's famous dances, Esplanade and Primitive Mysteries respectively.

[Laura Monagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a long while since I read Paul Taylor's autobiography, but I remember it as a story beautifully written and honestly told. I am neither a dancer, nor am I part of the dance world, but Taylor shared his sensibility so generously that I felt I was being taken behind the scenes. I had seen a performance by his dance company some years prior to reading the book and loved the power and freedom of expression in every piece. I was glad to have seen his work because it make the scenes come to life. Definitely recommended for dancers, but also for readers of autobiography/memoir and those interested in the creative process.

[Lewis Frumkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dubbed “The naughty boy” of dance by Martha Graham, Paul Taylor has been so cutting edge, and pioneering in his approaches to dance and choreography that he has become not only known and loved world-over, but a genuine icon. At 77 years of age he is still as feisty and humorous as ever, and in our interview tells me all kinds of fascinating inside stuff about his life and work.


listen to the interview

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Mr Taylor shared so much of his self, dance, the sheer hard work of dance and running a dance company, the joys as well. It is a serious book.