Biography

Twyla Tharp was born on July 1, 1941 in Portland, Indiana, USA. She is a director and actress, known for Amadeus (1984), Hair (1979) and Great Performances: Dance in America (1976).

She was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 1991 (1990 season) for Outstanding Achievement in Dance for choreographing American Ballet Theatre's production of In The Upper Room.

She was nominated for a 1999 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance for her company's 1998 season in BITE:98.

Won Broadway's 2003 Tony Award as Best Choreographer for "Movin' Out," a production for which she also received a Best Director (Musical) nomination.

She was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2004 for her services to dance in America from the National Endowment for the Arts of the United States.

On art: Art is an investigation.

In every good work of art there is a huge story, whether it is a Matisse cutout at the end his life or a portrait at the beginning. The story has to do with guts and vitality.