Twyla Tharp

Twyla Tharp
Name	Twyla Tharp
Caption	Tharp in 1973
Birth date	01 July 1941
Birth place	Portland, Indiana, U.S.
Occupation	Dancer, choreographer, author
Years active	1965–present
Known for	Innovative choreography blending ballet and modern dance
Awards	Tony Award, Emmy Award, National Medal of Arts, Kennedy Center Honors

Twyla Tharp. An iconic American dancer and choreographer, she is celebrated for revolutionizing modern dance by masterfully fusing it with the techniques of classical ballet and the rhythms of popular culture. Her prolific career, spanning over five decades, has produced a vast repertoire of works for her own ensembles, major ballet companies, Broadway, and Hollywood. Tharp's groundbreaking approach has earned her numerous accolades, including a Tony Award, an Emmy Award, the National Medal of Arts, and Kennedy Center Honors.

Early life and education

Born in Portland, Indiana, she moved with her family to San Bernardino, California, where her mother opened a drive-in movie theater. Her childhood was marked by an intense regimen of lessons in piano, violin, ballet, and tap dance, fostering an early discipline. She attended Pomona College before transferring to Barnard College in New York City, where she graduated with a degree in art history in 1963. During her studies, she trained intensively in dance with notable teachers at the American Ballet Theatre school and with pioneers like Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham, laying a diverse technical foundation.

Career

She formed Twyla Tharp Dance in 1965, quickly gaining attention for works like Tank Dive that challenged conventional modern dance aesthetics. A major breakthrough came with Deuce Coupe (1973), created for the Joffrey Ballet, which famously juxtaposed ballet movements with the music of The Beach Boys. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she created seminal works for the American Ballet Theatre, including Push Comes to Shove (1976) for Mikhail Baryshnikov. She successfully transitioned to Broadway, choreographing and directing the hit musical Movin' Out (2002), set to the music of Billy Joel. Her career also encompasses work for Hollywood films like Hair (1979) and Amadeus (1984), and television specials for PBS.

Choreographic style and influence

Her style is characterized by a radical synthesis of disparate forms, seamlessly integrating the precise footwork and line of classical ballet with the grounded, torso-driven movements of modern dance. She frequently incorporates elements from social dance, jazz dance, and vaudeville, often set to eclectic scores ranging from classical music to rock and roll. This intellectual yet accessible approach democratized concert dance and expanded its audience. Her influence is profound, inspiring generations of choreographers at institutions like the New York City Ballet and reshaping the repertoires of companies worldwide, including the Royal Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet.

Major works and productions

Her extensive catalog includes landmark pieces such as The Fugue (1970), a rhythmically complex work performed in cowboy boots. Sinatra Suite (1984), created for Mikhail Baryshnikov, remains a signature piece for the American Ballet Theatre. The full-length ballet In the Upper Room (1986), set to a score by Philip Glass, is renowned for its relentless energy and iconic designs by Norma Kamali. On Broadway, her jukebox musical Movin' Out earned her a Tony Award for Best Choreography. Other significant works include Nine Sinatra Songs, Brahms' Paganini, and the television production Baryshnikov by Tharp.

Awards and honors

She is one of the most decorated figures in the arts, having received a Tony Award, two Emmy Awards, and the 2008 National Medal of Arts. In 2008, she was also a recipient of Kennedy Center Honors. She has been awarded multiple honorary doctorates from institutions such as Harvard University and the Juilliard School. Other notable honors include the MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship, the National Museum of Dance's Hall of Fame induction, and France's prestigious Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

Personal life

She was married to painter Robert Huot from 1969 to 1971, with whom she had a son, Jesse Huot. Known for her formidable work ethic and discipline, she has detailed her creative philosophy in several books, including The Creative Habit. She maintains residences in New York City and on Long Island, and continues to create new works, teach, and set her existing repertoire on dance companies across the globe, sustaining a lasting impact on the world of performing arts.

Category:American choreographers Category:American dancers Category:1941 births Category:Living people Category:Kennedy Center honorees Category:National Medal of Arts recipients