“It's very difficult for me to do fund raising for my own organization if I'm working for other companies because sponsors will say, 'Well, hey, man, if she's doing a ballet for Ballet Theatre, we'll give money to Ballet Theatre.'”

American dancer, choreographer, and author

Twyla Tharp is an American dancer, choreographer, and author based in New York City. Since 1965, she has shaped a long career in dance, first through her company Twyla Tharp Dance, which later merged with American Ballet Theatre in 1988 and was regrouped in 1991. Her choreography is known for drawing on classical, jazz, and contemporary pop music. Alongside her work in dance, she has also written books, extending her voice beyond the stage into the page.