Tharp, Twyla

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Twyla Tharp.—© Jack Mitchell

(born July 1, 1941, Portland, Ind., U.S.) U.S. dancer, director, and choreographer. She danced with Paul Taylor's company from 1963 to 1965, when she formed her own troupe and began to choreograph works such as Deuce Coupe (1973), Push Comes to Shove (1976), Baker's Dozen (1979), Nine Sinatra Songs (1982), and Fait Accompli (1984). In 1988 she disbanded her company and was resident choreographer with the American Ballet Theatre (1988–91). She has also choreographed for the Broadway theatre (including The Catherine Wheel, 1981) and several films (including Hair, 1979, and Amadeus, 1984). Tharp is notable for her humour and particularly for having been one of the first American choreographers to use popular music.

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