Tharp, Twyla

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Twyla Tharp is American modern dancer and choreographer. She was born 1 July 1941 in Portland, Indiana and grew up in Rialto, California. She attended Pomona College and received the Bachelor of Arts degree from Barnard College in 1963. As a child she studied ballet, tap, flamenco, baron twirling, acrobatics, and several musical instruments. While in California, she studied dance with Beatrice Collenette, Wilson Morelli, John Butler, Carmen de Lavallade, and at the Lester Horton studio. In New York, Tharp studied with Igor Schwezoff, Richard Thomas, Barbara Fallis, Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Eugene Lewis (Luigi), Margaret Craske, Paul Taylor and others. Twyla Tharp began her professional career as a dancer with the Paul Taylor Dance Company in 1963. In 1965 formed her own company, Twyla Tharp and Dancers (disbanded in 1988), and in 1972 founded Twyla Tharp Dance Foundation, a non-profit organization. From 1987 to 1989, Tharp served as Artistic Associate with Mikhail Baryshnikov at the American Ballet Theatre. In 1990 formed Tharp Productions and is currently at work on various projects.

She has choreographed over 100 ballets for stage, television, and motion pictures, among them: Tank Dive (1965); Re-moves (1966); After "Suite", Medley, and Dancing in the Streets of London and Paris, Continued in Stockholm and Sometimes Madrid (1969); The Fugue, and The One Hundreds (1970); Eight Jelly Rolls, and The Bix Pieces (1971); Sue's Leg (1975); Sand After All (1976); Making Television Dance (a television production by Twyla Tharp, 1977); Baker's Dozen (1979); When We Were Very Young (1980); The Catherine Wheel (1981); Nine Sinatra Songs (1982); Scrapbook Tape (1982); In the Upper Room (1986); Rules of the Game (1989); Brief Fling (1990); Sextet (1992); Demeter and Persephone (1993); How Near Heaven (1995); Movin' Out (2003, a Broadway musical based on the music of singer-songwriter Billy Joel).

During her career she has worked with prestigious set, costume, and lighting designers, and photographers such as Santo Loquasto, Kermit Love, Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Jennifer Tipton, Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz, Martha Swope, Lois Greenfield, Jack Mitchell, and Herbert Migdoll. Tharp has choreographed works for other companies including the Joffrey Ballet (for which she created her first non-Tharp company work, Deuce Coupe, 1973), American Ballet Theatre (her first work at ABT was Push Comes to Shove, 1976, for Mikhail Baryshnikov), New York City Ballet, the Paris Opera Ballet, the Royal Ballet, the Boston Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and the Australian Ballet. Other works include choreography for ice skater John Curry, choreography and direction for the Broadway production of Singin' in the Rain (1985), choreography for films Hair (1978, directed by Milos Forman), Ragtime (1980, a Dino de Laurentiis film, directed by Milos Forman), Amadeus (1984, directed by Milos Forman), White Nights (1985, directed by Taylor Hackford), I'll Do Anything (directed by James L. Brooks, 1994), Dance Is a Man's Sport Too (with New York City Ballet principal Peter Martins and Pittsburg Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann, 1980), and choreography for the Broadway musical Movin' Out (based on the music of singer-songwriter Billy Joel, 2002).

Twyla Tharp's website is http://www.twylatharp.org .

From the guide to the Twyla Tharp Archive, 1963-1997, (The Ohio State University. Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute.)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Tharp, Twyla,. Interview with Twyla Tharp. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Simon, John,. When we were very young : choreographic, artistic and research notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1980. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Branca, Glenn, 1948-. Bad smells : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1982. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Huot, Robert,. Re-moves : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1966. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Bing Crosby/Mack Sennett research materials used by Twyla Tharp for an unfinished dance project, [1977?]. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf The assistant : choreographic notes and script used by Twyla Tharp for an unfinished dance project, 1991. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Contemporary Dance Trust Archive, 1957-1998 V & A Department of Theatre and Performance
creatorOf Huot, Robert,. Disperse : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1967. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Colombier, Michel,. Brief fling : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1990. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Twyla Tharp's choreographic notes and research materials about New Mexico and Ry Cooder used for an unfinished dance project, 1986. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Love, Kermit,. In the beginnings : choreographic notes and scripts used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1974. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Twyla Tharp and Dancers. Programs of works by Twyla Tharp 1963 - ongoing. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Tharp, Twyla,. Interview with Twyla Tharp. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn The times they are a-changin' (Musical) [clippings]. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Ford, Gerald R., 1913-2006. Visiting cards : Presidents, artists, authors, et al. Boston Public Library, Central Library in Copley Square
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo,. Fait accompli : choreographic notes and research materials used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1983. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo,. Everlast : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her choreographic work, 1989. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Tharp, Twyla. Musical comedies. Singin' in the rain. [Programs] New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo,. Short stories : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her choreographic work, 1980. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Whitney Museum of American Art. Research materials and notes about Reginald Marsh used by Twyla Tharp for an unspecified and unfinished dance project, 1963-ongoing. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Astaire, Fred,. Everlast : choreographic and research notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1989. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Byrne, David, 1952-. The Catherine wheel : choreographic and artistic notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1981. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Stravinsky-Diaghilev Foundation research files, 1920-1989. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Baryshnikov, Mikhail, 1948-. Pulcinella : choreographic notes, scenarios and research materials used by Twyla Tharp for an unfinished dance project, 1985. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Finn, David A.,. Men's piece : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1991. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Production and technical materials related to the activity and dance projects of Twyla Tharp, her company Twyla Tharp and Dancers, and Twyla Tharp Dance Foundation, 1963-ongoing. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Choreographic notes and research materials about dance and dance history in South Carolina, used by Twyla Tharp for an unfinished dance project, [198-?]. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Forman, Miloš,. Hair : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in choreographing the dances for the motion picture and for the stage version, 1979. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Love, Kermit,. All about eggs : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her dance, 1974. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo,. Short stories : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1980. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Dance notebook : manuscript music sheets used by Twyla Tharp. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo,. Country dances : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her choreographic work, 1976. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Weinberg, Chester.,. As time goes by : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her dance, 1973. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Zaentz, Saul. Amadeus : choreographic notes and research materials used by Twyla Tharp in the choreography and opera staging for the movie, 1984. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Waterbaby bagatelles (Choreographic work : Tharp) [clippings] New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn The Kenneth Rinker Collection, 1964-1987 The Ohio State University. Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Insitute.
creatorOf Bertolt Brecht research : research materials used by Twyla Tharp for an unfinished dance project, 1987. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo.,. Mud : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her choreographic work, 1977. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Acocella, Joan Ross. Press clippings regarding Twyla Tharp's dances and performances 1964 - ongoing. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Huot, Robert,. Generation : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1968. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo,. Quartet : music score used by Twyla Tharp for her choreographic work, 1989. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Mizrahi, Isaac,. Brief fling : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her choreographic work, 1990. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo,. Twyla Tharp's choreographic and research notes written during her residency at The Wexner Center for the Arts, the Ohio State University, 1991. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo,. Costumes, accessories and props used by Twyla Tharp for her dances. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo,. Baker's dozen : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her dance, 1979. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Tharp, Twyla,. Hubbard Street Dance Chicago collective, [ca.1984-ongoing]. Museum of Performance & Design
creatorOf Le train bleu : research materials used by Twyla Tharp for an unfinished dance project or a dance idea, 1963-ongoing. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo,. Assorted quartets : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her dance, 1980. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Forman, Miloš,. Hair : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating the choreography for the movie, 1979. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Forman, Miloš.,. Hair : music scores used by Twyla Tharp in creating the choreography for the film Hair, 1979. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf The audition : script used by Twyla Tharp in creating a dance, 1963-ongoing. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Boogie woogie : research materials and notes used by Twyla Tharp for an unfinished dance project, 1987. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo,. The Catherine wheel : music and notation score used by Twyla Tharp for her dance, 1981. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Tippet, Clark,. Interview with Clark Tippet. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Morton, Jelly Roll, d. 1941,. The history of up and down, I and II : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1971. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Tharp, Twyla. All about eggs : choreographic and artistic notes, 1974. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Rinker, Kenneth. Interview with Kenneth Rinker [sound recording]. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Americans we (Choreographic work : Tharp) [clippings] New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Love, Kermit.,. The Bix pieces : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her dance, 1971. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Way, Jennifer. Interview with Jennifer Way. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Huot, Robert,. After "Suite" : choreographic and research notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1969. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Love, Kermit.,. The Bach duet : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her dance, 1974. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Arent, Arthur. The Living newspaper : research materials about the Federal Theatre Project and the Living newspaper used by Twyla Tharp for an unfinished dance project, 1963-ongoing. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Twyla Tharp Archive, 1963-1997 The Ohio State University. Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Insitute.
referencedIn Marcia Siegel Papers, 1960-2006 The Ohio State University. Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Insitute.
creatorOf Riley, Terry, 1935-. Quartet : research material used by Twyla Tharp in choosing the music for her dance, 1989. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo,. Third suite : music score used by Twyla Tharp for her dance, 1980. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Chicago research : research materials related to the life in Chicago used by Twyla Tharp for an unfinished dance project, 1987. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Walter Terry papers, 1913-1982 The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.
referencedIn Americans we (Choreographic work : Tharp) [clippings] New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo,. Demeter and Persephone : choreographic and research notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1993. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo,. Cacklin' hen : sound effects and vocal call score used by Twyla Tharp for her dance, 1977. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn The elements (Tharp) [clippings] New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Twyla Tharp Dance Foundation. [Programs] New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Rawe, Tom. Interview with Tom Rawe [sound recording]. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Tipton, Jennifer,. Waterbaby bagatelles : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1994. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Huot, Robert,. Group activities : choreographic notes and research materials used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1969. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn George Washington University Lisner Auditorium. Lisner Auditorium records 1946-2005 George Washington University
creatorOf Rudner, Sara,. Dancing in the streets of London and Paris, continued in Stockholm and sometimes Madrid : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1969. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Tharp, Twyla. Miscellaneous manuscripts. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Roth, Ann, 1931-. Singin' in the rain : research notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating the musical stage version of the motion picture, 1985. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Twyla Tharp and Dancers. Audio-visual materials related to development and performance of Twyla Tharp's dances 1970 - ongoing. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo.,. Push comes to shove : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her choreographic work, 1976. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Music scores for dances choreographed by Twyla Tharp 1970- ongoing. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Administrative records of Twyla Tharp and the Twyla Tharp Dance Foundation 1971 - ongoing. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Dufour, Gilles,. Rules of the game : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her choreographic work, 1989. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Long, William Ivey,. Ballare : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her dance, 1986. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Tharp, Twyla. Musical comedies. Hair. [Programs] New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Financial records of Twyla Tharp and the Twyla Tharp Dance Foundation 1970 - ongoing. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Choreographic, artistic and research notes for Twyla Tharp's ballets 1967 - ongoing. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Appelbaum, Stanley.,. Ragtime : music score used by Twyla Tharp in creating the choreography for the movie, 1980. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Crash and burn, big time : choreographic notes and research materials used by Twyla Tharp for an unfinished dance project, 1990. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Zaentz, Saul. Amadeus : music scores used by Twyla Tharp in choreographing the dances for the movie, 1984. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Twyla Tharp's choreographic notes for an unspecified dance project, [198-?]. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf University of Massachusetts (Amherst campus). The one hundreds : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1970. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Hackford, Taylor, 1945-. White nights : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating the choreography for the movie, 1985. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn New York Shakespeare Festival. Press Office Records, 1957-1991 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Capra, Frank, 1897-1991,. It happened one night : choreographic notes and research materials used by Twyla Tharp for a dance project, 1963-ongoing. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Kamali, Norma,. In the upper room : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1986. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Development records of the Twyla Tharp Dance Foundation 1970 - ongoing. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Brooks, James L.,. I'll do anything : music scores used by Twyla Tharp in creating the choreography for the movie, 1994. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Lauren, Ralph,. Brahms' Paganini : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her dance, 1980. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Dance Notation Bureau Collection, 1930- The Ohio State University. Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Insitute.
referencedIn Baryshnikov, Mikhail, 1948-. Interview with Mikhail Baryshnikov. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo.,. The Rags suite from the Raggedy dances : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her choreographic work, 1975. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Love, Kermit,. Eight jelly rolls : music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her dance, 1971. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Dale Harris papers, 1939-1995 The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.
creatorOf Little match girl : choreographic notes and research materials used by Twyla Tharp for a dance project, 198-? Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf De Laurentiis, Dino. Ragtime : choreographic notes and research materials used by Twyla Tharp in creating the choreography for the movie, 1980. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Loquasto, Santo,. When we were very young : manuscript music scores used by Twyla Tharp for her choreographic work, 1980. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Sundance Institute. Twyla Tharp's choreographic notes and research materials made and gathered during her residency at Sundance Film Institute, 1990. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Connecticut College. Lecture/ demonstrations at Connecticut College, July 8-9, 1969 : choreographic notes regarding the dance demonstrations, 1969. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Waterbaby bagatelles (Choreographic work : Tharp) [clippings] New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Hyman, Dick, 1927-. Bum's rush : choreographic, artistic and research notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1989. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Katy Matheson papers, 1960-2003 The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.
creatorOf THARP, TWYLA. Artist file : miscellaneous uncataloged material. Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
referencedIn Taylor, Fannie. Fannie Taylor papers, 1941-2007. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf Research materials related to the dance marathons used by Twyla Tharp for a dance project, 1963-ongoing. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Twyla Tharp and Dancers,. Medley : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1969. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Huot, Robert,. Excess, idle, surplus : choreographic notes used by Twyla Tharp in creating her dance, 1968. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Bach, Johann Sebastian, 1685-1750,. Bach partita : choreographic and research materials used by Twyla Tharp for her choreographic work, 1984. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Twyla Tharp Archive, [ca. 1963 - ongoing]. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Twyla Tharp and Dancers. [Programs] New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Harris, Dale, 1928-1996. Dale Harris papers 1939-1995 New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf The rape of the Sabines : choreographic notes and research materials used by Twyla Tharp for an unfinished dance project, 1963- ongoing. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Julius S. Held papers, ca. 1918-1999 Getty Research Institute
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Bach, Johann Sebastian, 1685-1750, person
associatedWith Baryshnikov, Mikhail, 1948- person
associatedWith Boston. Radio station WGBH. corporateBody
associatedWith City Center Joffrey Ballet. corporateBody
associatedWith Contemporary Dance Trust corporateBody
associatedWith Dance Notation Bureau corporateBody
associatedWith George Washington University Lisner Auditorium corporateBody
associatedWith Gruen, John, person
associatedWith Harris, Dale, 1928-1996 person
associatedWith Held, Julius Samuel, 1905- person
associatedWith Love, Kermit, person
associatedWith Mara Penrose person
associatedWith Marcia Siegel person
associatedWith Matheson, Katy person
associatedWith New York Shakespeare Festival corporateBody
associatedWith Papp, Joseph. person
associatedWith Rawe, Tom. person
associatedWith Rinker, Kenneth. person
associatedWith Robbins, Jerome. person
associatedWith Stravinsky-Diaghilev Foundation. corporateBody
associatedWith Taylor, Fannie. person
associatedWith Terry, Walter person
associatedWith Tharp Productions corporateBody
associatedWith Tippet, Clark, person
associatedWith Tobias, Tobi, person
associatedWith Twyla Tharp and Dancers corporateBody
associatedWith Twyla Tharp and Dancers, corporateBody
associatedWith Twyla Tharp and Dancers. corporateBody
associatedWith Twyla Tharp Dance Foundation. corporateBody
associatedWith Way, Jennifer. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
Subject
Choreographers
Choreographers
Choreography
Dance in motion pictures, television, etc.
Dancers
Modern dance
Postmodern Dance
Occupation
Choreographers
Activity

Person

Birth 1941-07-01

Americans

English

Information

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