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The Taylor 2 Dance Company was created in 1993 to perform modern dance works by choreographer Paul Taylor. The dance company has the name “Taylor 2” because it is the second of two dance companies that perform Mr. Taylor’s choreography. The original company, called The Paul Taylor Dance Company, was created in 1954. Both companies are based in New York City. With a total of six dancers, Taylor 2 is smaller than the original company. Its smaller size allows the company to tour, teach, and perform in schools and small towns across the United States. Repertory is the body of work that a dance company is able to perform. The repertory of Taylor 2 includes many early works as well as more recent dances created by Mr. Taylor. Dances he created for the full company of 16 dancers have been altered and re-staged for the six Taylor 2 dancers. Because of this, the dancers in Taylor 2 often perform parts danced by two or three dancers in the original work. You will see dancers in the Taylor 2 company “warming up.” To get their bodies ready for challenges of dancing, the dancers go through exercises that work each part of the body. A proper warm-up before performing helps dancers prevent injuries. As the warmup progresses, the dancers begin to move across the dance floor, using movements from Paul Taylor’s works. You will also see segments from some of Paul Taylor’s dances (recorded in 2000 at C. D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, VA).