Alix Clarke Dance 171 6 April 2017 Twyla Tharp Twyla Tharp is a famous American dancer and choreographer that is currently seventy-five years old and is residing in New York City. “Twyla has choreographed one hundred twenty-nine dances, twelve television specials, six Hollywood movies, four full-length ballets, four Broadway shows and two figure skating routines. In 1965 she founded her own dance company Twyla Tharp Dance. Her dances are known for her creativity, wit and technical precision. She is best known for her works with jazz, ballet, and inventions of her own making .Tharp’s work encompasses modern ballet and dance” (Avedon 1). Twyla is a highly decorated choreographer. She is unique because she has choreographed dance performances …show more content…
Twyla Tharp did not like the thought of classical boundaries. During Tharp’s creative process she liked to think of ballet in less classical terms. Tharp was more interested in finding a more free and less serious way of expression through her dancing and choreography this was her creative process. Tharp is about thinking outside of the box. Sometimes her dances looked improvised because they were so natural. “Tharp is an extension of Martha Graham and her perceptions of dance, but has acquired a more current and playful quality to her work. Unlike Graham, Tharp’s innovations are more easily accepted” (Contributions to Dance 1). Becuase she has this stance on dancing she used her techniques with the more natural movements the body can have. She also combined this with new influences that she found. Tharp is best know for her unpredictable dance style and choreography. People tend to see her pieces as edgy and fierce, with a touch of wit and humor throughout. Her works are meant for the audience to draw their own conclusions and interpret it as they see fit. Tharp dislikes the word modern when describing her dance. However her dances are very different from the classical dances and are more on the innovative …show more content…
Her choreography has the same bold nature and that has pushed her in to the public eye. Her new and original thinking cam together to make the perfect combination of modern dance and ballet. Twyla Tharp’s work is not confined to a certain style of dance. This is why she contributes so much to the dance world. “Her piece Deuce Coupe, set in 1973 on the Joffrey Ballet to the music of the Beach Boys, was said to be the transitional piece for ballet companies of the time.” (Contributions to Dance 1). Tharp was constantly pushing the boundaries of dance. She was not a choreographer that thought you should stick to the original