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The time Twyla Tharp setup a performance in Central Park
Clip: 3/26/2021 | 1m 48sVideo has Closed Captions
Archival footage shows one of Twyla Tharp's dances in Central Park amongst the public.
Archival footage shows one of Twyla Tharp's dances in Central Park amongst football games, bicyclists, police on horseback, and picnickers. The location made it impossible to have a separation between audience members and performers. And Tharp learned some valuable things about choreography and distance from the experience.
Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...
![American Masters](https://image.pbs.org/contentchannels/FgDyXIn-white-logo-41-8ZBpyZC.png?format=webp&resize=200x)
The time Twyla Tharp setup a performance in Central Park
Clip: 3/26/2021 | 1m 48sVideo has Closed Captions
Archival footage shows one of Twyla Tharp's dances in Central Park amongst football games, bicyclists, police on horseback, and picnickers. The location made it impossible to have a separation between audience members and performers. And Tharp learned some valuable things about choreography and distance from the experience.
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![A front row seat to the creative process](https://image.pbs.org/curate-console/936c7a07-7240-4375-9f07-dad3be5facf6.jpg?format=webp&resize=860x)
A front row seat to the creative process
How do today’s masters create their art? Each episode an artist reveals how they brought their creative work to life. Hear from artists across disciplines, like actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, singer-songwriter Jewel, author Min Jin Lee, and more on our podcast "American Masters: Creative Spark."Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipHow does Twyla Tharp create new dances?
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Twyla Tharp's creative process is very physical. (1m 1s)
Tharp and Baryshnikov's "totally unexpected" collaboration
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The collaboration was "lightening in a bottle," according to Tharp. (4m 32s)
The time Twyla Tharp pushed David Byrne to his limits
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In 1981, Twyla Tharp commissioned David Byrne of the Talking Heads to write music for her. (2m 58s)
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Explore the life of legendary dancer, director and choreographer Twyla Tharp. (2m 36s)
Twyla Tharp's famous "Eight Jelly Rolls" Dance
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"Eight Jelly Rolls" was one of Twyla Tharp's first music-inspired choreographed dances. (55s)
Twyla Tharp's very valuable college decision
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How Tharp directed her own education at Barnard College. (1m 17s)
What's it like choreographing a dance for Zoom?
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Tharp discovers a technical challenge that makes choreographing virtually even harder. (2m 3s)
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Twyla Tharp provide an inside look at the way she approaches her work. (2m)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipSupport for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...