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POSTCARDS: Paul Taylor Dancers' Jada Pearman and Shawn Lesniak On Their Experiences This Dancing Season
As The Company Honors The Brilliant Taylor Dancer Carolyn Adams
WHO: Jada Pearman and Shawn Lesniak of Paul Taylor Dance Company
WHAT: Paul Taylor Dance Company's Season at Lincoln Center
WHEN: November 5 - 24, 2024
DETAILS: The repertoire will feature ten Paul Taylor classics, World Premieres by Resident Choreographer Lauren Lovette, Robert Battle, and Jody Sperling, and acclaimed works by Ulysses Dove, Larry Keigwin, and Sperling. Every performance features live music by the Orchestra of St. Luke’s under the direction of David LaMarche. Back by popular demand, Grammy-winning trio, Time for Three, will be performed from November 5 - 6 and November 12 - 15, 2024.
TICKETS: $15 and up. Available at www.boxoffice.dance and the Koch Theater box office
Jada Pearman says:
In the world of dance, few individuals leave a legacy as profound as Carolyn Adams. Renowned for her extraordinary career with the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Carolyn's interpretations of iconic works such as Aureole, Esplanade and Airs echo through the annals of modern dance.
Celebrated for her artistry, versatility and dynamism, she has not only captivated audiences but has also profoundly influenced the generations of dancers who have followed in her footsteps. Beyond her remarkable performances, Carolyn’s dedication as a mentor, educator and philanthropist truly sets her apart as an extraordinary figure in the arts.
This year, we are thrilled to honor Carolyn Adams at our Gala on November 6, 2024 and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been selected to perform the solo Dedicated to You, created by the illustrious Robert Battle, in her honor. This opportunity holds special significance as Carolyn has long been both a mentor and friend to Robert.
Working with Robert has been a transformative experience . Although I have admired his works from a distance, this marks the first time I’ve had the pleasure of dancing one of his pieces. I've always appreciated Robert’s ability to infuse athleticism and structure into his choreography, all while capturing the essence of the music. In this piece, he expertly weaves elements of Paul Taylor's signature style with his own innovative flair while incorporating the unique “isms” of Carolyn Adams. The choreography features elements such as running, agility, dynamic clarity and purity, which resonate deeply with the essence of Carolyn’s artistry.
Each time I dance the this Dedicated to You, I embark on a profound journey that I hope resonates with the audience. The challenges presented by this choreography are matched only by the immense rewards that come from dancing it. I wholeheartedly dedicate my performance to Carolyn Adams, as we celebrate her remarkable contributions to dance and her unwavering support of those who follow her path.
Shawn Lesniak says:
Last fall, we premiered Lauren Lovette’s work Echo at Lincoln Center. It was such an exciting debut because we also collaborated with the sensational musical trio, Time for Three, as well as the insanely talented designer, Zac Posen. This was my first time working solely with the men of Paul Taylor and it made for a memorable bonding experience. The audience feedback was overwhelmingly positive. It really felt as if we accomplished something remarkable.
Since premiering Echo, the company has toured the piece around the country. We unfortunately couldn’t take Time for Three on tour with us, and because we were performing at different sized venues, we had to restructure certain parts of the dance. But with the help of Lauren’s vision and some new choreography we gave Echo new life and we were successfully able to tour it.
Now, during this 2024 Lincoln Center Season, Echo is once again a part of our program. But this time, with more performances under our belt, we will show our audiences all of the artistry and experience we’ve added to the piece since its premiere last year.
And… Time for Three will be back to join us this season! I'm excited to revisit this dance on the Lincoln Center stage!
