At the ballet classes I took when I first came to New York, I would see great dancers like Cynthia Gregory and Lupe Serrano. I would look at them and study what they could do, and what I couldn't do. And then I'd think maybe they should try what I could do. Twyla Tharp balletclasscynthia share on social
I'm not one who divides music, dance or art into various categories. Either something works, or it doesn't. Twyla Tharp artcategorydance Change image and share on social
I've read probably 25 or 30 books by Balzac, all of Tolstoy - the novels and letters - and all of Dickens. I learned my craft from these guys. Twyla Tharp balzacbookcraft Change image and share on social
You can only generate ideas when you put pencil to paper, brush to canvas... when you actually do something physical. Twyla Tharp brushcanvasgenerate Change image and share on social
I don't hate language. I have my own language, but I also enjoy the English language. Obviously, you don't read a lot of literature and not care about language. Twyla Tharp careenglishenjoy Change image and share on social
Proust writes, he remembers, physically. He depends on his body to give him the information that will bring him to the past. His book is called 'In Search of Lost Time,' and he does it through the senses. He does it through smell. He does it through feeling. He does it through texture. It is all physically driven, that language. Twyla Tharp bodybookbring share on social
Art is the only way to run away without leaving home. Twyla Tharp arthomeleave Change image and share on social
This is the strange thing: Dancers don't age. Twyla Tharp agedancerstrange Change image and share on social
To survive, you've got to keep wheedling your way. You can't just sit there and fight against odds when it's not going to work. You have to turn a corner, dig a hole, go through a tunnel - and find a way to keep moving. Twyla Tharp cornerdigfight share on social
My mother was a dominant force in my life. She had a very specific idea about education, which was: you should know everything about everything. It was quite simple. There was no exclusivity, and there really was no judgment. Twyla Tharp dominanteducationexclusivity share on social