Established in 1954, the Paul Taylor Dance Company has long been one of the world's most highly respected dance troupes. The company has represented the United States at arts festivals in more than 40 countries and has toured extensively under the aegis of the US Department of State.

The company's 1999 engagement in Chile was named the Best International Dance Event of the Year by the country's Art Critic's Circle. In the summer of 2001 the company toured in the People's Republic of China and performed in six cities, four of which had never seen American modern dance before. Beginning with its first television appearance for the Dance in America series in 1978, the company has appeared on PBS in nine different programs.

While continuing to garner international acclaim, the Paul Taylor Dance Company performs more than half of each touring season in cities throughout the United States. New York, San Francisco and Durham host annual engagements.

Paul Taylor is a festival favorite. Audiences greeted the company with wild enthusiasm in 1994, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2005.