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March 13, 2026
Photo by Amitava Sarkar
Texas Ballet Theater’s (TBT) current mixed-repertory production Diversions features the landmark modern work Company B, originally premiered by the Paul Taylor Dance Company in 1991. Taylor’s choreography is world-renowned for its distinctive blend of athleticism, musicality, and emotional storytelling.
Taylor created Company B to juxtapose the harmonies of the Andrews Sisters with the realities of wartime America. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the choreography captures both the optimism and the heartbreak experienced by a generation living through war. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the themes of resilience, sacrifice, and community explored in Company B feel especially poignant.
To stage this special production for North Texas audiences, TBT partnered with Constance Dinapoli, who has performed worldwide with the Paul Taylor Dance Company and participated in the original creative process of Company B. Dinapoli brings this firsthand insight into Taylor’s artistic vision while helping a new generation of dancers connect with the piece’s emotional depth and historical context.
Constance Dinapoli is a répétiteur for the Paul Taylor Dance Foundation, Director of Summer Intensives, and faculty member at the Taylor Center for Dance Education. She has recently held faculty positions, residencies, and masterclasses at prestigious institutions such as Southern Methodist University, Sam Houston State University, Dean College, and the University of Maryland. Additionally, she has taught at Johns Hopkins University, George Mason University, The Washington School of Ballet, and UMBC. Ms. Dinapoli holds an M.F.A. from George Mason University and a B.A. from Stanford University.
We spoke with Dinapoli about staging Company B, sharing historical context with dancers, and why the work continues to resonate with audiences today.
Q&A with CONSTANCE DINAPOLI
TBT: Tell us about your experience working with TBT to stage Company B.
Dinapoli: My experience staging Company B with TBT has been wonderful. The dancers are excellent. The artistic, production, and administrative staff are incredibly supportive, and the studio environment has been so positive.
I’ve particularly enjoyed teaching the dancers a variety of roles and having the luxury of two full casts. This allowed us time to dive deeply into each dancer’s individual artistry. As for challenges, the final week is always a race against the clock—ensuring we have enough time in the theater for lighting adjustments and giving the dancers the spacing notes they need to shine.
TBT: Do you share any historical context about the World War II era when working with the dancers? If so, how does that help inform the performance?
Dinapoli: Absolutely. I provide historical context on World War II and 1991, the year the piece was created. At that time, America was involved in the Persian Gulf War, and the NYC artist community was suffering deeply from the AIDS epidemic.
Since I was an original dancer in the choreographic process of Company B, I’m able to share personal stories and specific words from Paul Taylor himself. Understanding these two eras helps the dancers realize that the piece isn’t just a period piece—it’s about the resilience of the human spirit during times of conflict.
TBT: Company B juxtaposes the lively music of the Andrews Sisters with the underlying somberness of a wartime piece. How do you coach dancers to balance these dueling themes?
Dinapoli: Paul Taylor was a ‘war poet,’ and that underlying somberness is woven directly into the choreography. To balance these themes, I coach the dancers to use their breath, upper body, and focus to convey softness, hardship, and sadness. This creates a poignant contrast to the more energetic, upbeat sections of the music, allowing the audience to feel both the joy and the loss simultaneously.
TBT: How do you honor the authenticity of Paul Taylor’s work while allowing dancers to bring their own individuality to the piece?
Dinapoli: As a former dancer with the Paul Taylor Dance Company, I honor that authenticity by channeling what I know Mr. Taylor would have looked for. When we were creating the dance, he encouraged us as artists to bring our own individuality to the roles. I strive to do the same for these dancers—giving them the structural ‘truth’ of the work while leaving room for their unique personalities to breathe.
TBT: What do you hope audiences experience from TBT’s production of Company B?
Dinapoli: Given the current state of the world, this piece feels incredibly relevant. I hope audiences experience all sides of humanity—the grit, the grace, and the grief. I hope that they leave with a sense of optimism, seeing how the dancers of Company B work together as a community to show that even in difficult times, life has a brighter side.
TBT: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Dinapoli: It has been a privilege to see Paul Taylor’s legacy live on through the talented dancers at TBT. I can’t wait for the audience to see the heart they’ve put into this production.
MORE ABOUT CONSTANCE DINAPOLI
Constance Dinapoli is a distinguished dance artist and educator whose career was forged as a principal dancer and muse for the legendary choreographer Paul Taylor and visual artist Alex Katz. Following an international performing career with the Paul Taylor Dance Company, she continues to serve as a vital steward of the Taylor legacy. She is currently a Répétiteur for the Paul Taylor Dance Foundation, the Director of Summer Intensives, and a member of the Faculty at the Taylor Center for Dance Education.
As a sought-after global guest artist, Ms. Dinapoli has recently held residencies and faculty positions at prestigious institutions, including Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, Southern Methodist University’s Division of Dance, Sam Houston State University’s Department of Dance, Dean College, and the University of Maryland’s School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies.
Her extensive leadership and pedagogical history includes serving as the Artistic Coordinator of Contemporary Dance at the Peabody Institute, as well as faculty and adjunct roles at Johns Hopkins University, George Mason University, The Washington School of Ballet, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She holds an M.F.A. from George Mason University and a B.A. from Stanford University.
Remaining performances of Diversions are March 13–15 at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the TBT Box Office at 877-828-9200 (Option 1).
