Twyla Tharp is a renowned choreographer best known for her groundbreaking dance musical, Movin’ Out. Her innovative choreography draws from a rich tapestry of dance styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, and modern. Tharp’s relentless dedication and creative vision have earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious MacArthur “genius grant” Fellowship. She has significantly influenced the evolution of contemporary dance by challenging and expanding its boundaries.
Tharp’s deep connection to the arts began in early childhood. Her mother, a piano teacher, nurtured her artistic talents from age two, providing piano lessons and later encouraging her to explore various disciplines such as dance, languages, violin, viola, baton, and painting. This diverse artistic education laid a strong foundation for Tharp’s future in the arts.
She left home to attend Pomona College but soon transferred to Barnard College in New York City, where she majored in art history. While studying at Barnard, Tharp’s passion for dance flourished through off-campus classes and her studies with the American Ballet Theater. There, she was privileged to work with luminaries such as Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Paul Taylor, and Erick Hawkins. Despite completing her degree in art history in 1963, Tharp knew that dance was her true calling.
After a stint with the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Tharp founded her own group, Twyla Tharp Dance, in 1965. Initially struggling financially, the group gained recognition for their innovative performances, participating in festivals and collaborating with renowned ballet companies like the Joffrey Ballet and the American Ballet Theater. Tharp’s choreography stood out for its humor, edge, and unique blend of classical techniques with everyday movements like running, walking, and skipping. Her eclectic choice of music—from classical compositions to pop songs, the sound of a clicking metronome, and even silence—added to the distinctiveness of her work, often drawing on the rich jazz traditions.
In 1979, Tharp choreographed the film adaptation of the 1960s rock musical Hair, further cementing her influence in dance and film. Her Broadway debut came with When We Were Young in 1980, and she continued to create acclaimed ballets throughout the decade. Her exceptional work during this period earned her numerous awards, including three Emmys and a Director’s Guild of America Award.
In 1992, Tharp published her autobiography and was awarded the MacArthur Fellowship, underscoring her significant contributions to the arts. Throughout the 1990s, Twyla Tharp Dance gained international acclaim, and in 2002, she achieved her greatest success with Movin’ Out. This original dance musical, set to the music of Billy Joel, captured the essence of young lives in the 1960s-70s and enjoyed a three-year run on Broadway, with tours in Canada and Japan.
In recognition of her contributions to the arts, Tharp received the National Medal of Arts from President George W. Bush in 2004 and the Kennedy Center Honor in 2008. With over 160 choreographed works and several published books, Tharp has continuously redefined contemporary dance. Even during the pandemic, she has sought new and innovative ways to engage audiences, proving her enduring impact on dance.
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