Twyla Tharp

Twyla Tharp is a renowned American dancer and choreographer known for her innovative and eclectic style, which combines elements of ballet, modern dance, and jazz dance. She has worked with numerous prominent companies, including the Joffrey Ballet, New York City Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. Tharp's collaborations with famous dancers and choreographers, such as Mikhail Baryshnikov and Jerome Robbins, have resulted in some of the most iconic works of the 20th century, including Push Comes to Shove and In the Upper Room. Her choreography has also been featured in films like Hair and Ragtime, showcasing her ability to blend different styles and genres.

● Early Life and Education

Tharp was born in Portland, Indiana, and began her dance training at the age of four, studying ballet with Katherine Manning and modern dance with Margaret H'Doubler. She later attended Barnard College, where she studied dance education and psychology, and was influenced by the works of Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey. Tharp's early career was shaped by her experiences with the Paul Taylor Dance Company and the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, where she worked alongside notable dancers like Trisha Brown and Yvonne Rainer.

● Career

Tharp's professional career as a choreographer began in the 1960s, with her first company, Twyla Tharp Dance, which she founded in 1965. She quickly gained recognition for her unique style, which blended elements of postmodern dance and contemporary dance, and was influenced by the works of John Cage and Robert Rauschenberg. Tharp's collaborations with prominent companies like the New York City Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre led to the creation of iconic works like Deuce Coupe and Baker's Dozen, which featured dancers like Suzanne Farrell and Arthur Mitchell. Her work has also been influenced by George Balanchine and Agnes de Mille, and she has been recognized for her contributions to the development of neoclassical ballet.

● Choreographed Works

Tharp's choreographed works include The Catherine Wheel, Push Comes to Shove, and In the Upper Room, which have been performed by companies like the Joffrey Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet. Her choreography has also been featured in films like White Nights and I'll Do Anything, and she has worked with notable directors like Taylor Hackford and James L. Brooks. Tharp's collaborations with famous musicians, such as David Byrne and Philip Glass, have resulted in innovative works like The Catherine Wheel and In the Upper Room, which showcase her ability to blend different styles and genres. Her choreography has also been influenced by the works of Igor Stravinsky and Steve Reich, and she has been recognized for her contributions to the development of contemporary ballet.

● Awards and Honors

Tharp has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to dance, including the National Medal of Arts, the Kennedy Center Honors, and the Tony Award for Best Choreography. She has also been recognized by the Dance Magazine Awards and the Bessie Awards, and has been named one of the most influential people in the world by Time Magazine. Tharp's work has been supported by organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Ford Foundation, and she has been a fellow at the American Academy in Rome and the MacDowell Colony.

● Personal Life

Tharp is known for her intense and demanding rehearsal process, which has been documented in films like Scratching the Surface and Twyla Tharp: In the Upper Room. She has been married to Bob Gottlieb and has one daughter, Sara Rudner, who is also a dancer. Tharp's personal life has been influenced by her relationships with notable figures like Mikhail Baryshnikov and Jerome Robbins, and she has been recognized for her contributions to the development of dance education.

● Legacy

Tharp's legacy as a choreographer and dancer continues to be felt, with her works remaining a staple of the ballet and modern dance repertoire. Her influence can be seen in the work of choreographers like William Forsythe and Mark Morris, and she has been recognized for her contributions to the development of contemporary dance. Tharp's company, Twyla Tharp Dance, continues to tour and perform her works, and she remains one of the most innovative and respected figures in the world of dance, with a career spanning over five decades and collaborations with notable companies like the Royal Ballet and the San Francisco Ballet. Her work has also been recognized by the Pulitzer Prize and the Emmy Award, and she has been named a Living Legend by the Library of Congress.