Tharp, Twyla (1941-…), is an American dancer and choreographer (creator of dances). Her work features movements from many types of dance, including ballet, social dances, and tap dancing. Tharp uses these familiar movements in original ways to create works filled with clever gestures and abrupt, unexpected changes in motion and mood. The energy in the dances makes them seem spontaneous, but her works are carefully structured with mathematical precision.
Tharp has used many kinds of music, including classical, pop, rock, jazz, and ragtime. In the 1960’s, she even created dances to be performed in silence. After she established her own company in 1965, she created such important works as Re-Moves (1966), Medley (1969), and Eight Jelly Rolls (1971).
Tharp choreographed Deuce Coupe (1973) and As Time Goes By (1973) for the City Center Joffrey Ballet, Push Comes to Shove (1976) for the American Ballet Theatre, and Brahms/Handel (with Jerome Robbins, 1984) for the New York City Ballet. From 1988 to 1990, she was resident choreographer and artistic associate for the American Ballet Theatre. Tharp has choreographed for films, stage and TV shows, and ice dancing. She choreographed the hit musical Movin’ Out (2002), based on the music of Billy Joel, as well as the musical The Times They Are A-Changin’ (2006), based on the music of Bob Dylan, and Come Fly With Me (2010), based on the music of Frank Sinatra. Tharp was born on July 1, 1941, in Portland, Indiana. She wrote an autobiography, Push Comes to Shove (1992), as well as the self-help books The Creative Habit (2003) and The Collaborative Habit (2009).
