A Dance Legend Who Still Finds New Directions

By Jennifer Ludden

Published December 19, 2004 at 12:00 AM EST

Paul Taylor is one of the last living dance giants of the 20th century. His Paul Taylor Dance Company is marking its 50th season with a tour to all 50 states. They came to Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center last week, but Paul Taylor stayed home.

In fact, Taylor lives in Manhattan when he's creating new works. But he often prefers his retreat in Mattituck, Long Island, where he can explore his fascination with nature -- and insects.

NPR's Jennifer Ludden visits Taylor at home, finding no shortage of items to discuss, from his love for bugs to his group's next project.

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Jennifer Ludden

Jennifer Ludden helps edit energy and environment stories for NPR's National Desk, working with NPR staffers and a team of public radio reporters across the country. They track the shift to clean energy, state and federal policy moves, and how people and communities are coping with the mounting impacts of climate change.

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