I learned very early that an audience would relax and look at things differently if they felt they could laugh with you from time to time. There's an energy that comes through the release of tension that is laughter.

Quote by Twyla Tharp

Topics: Twyla Tharp Quotes

It is extremely arrogant and very foolish to think that you can ever outwit your...

It is extremely arrogant and very foolish to think that you can ever outwit your...

Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.

Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.

I often say that in making dances I can make a world where I think...

I often say that in making dances I can make a world where I think...

I thought I had to make an impact on history. I had to become the...

I thought I had to make an impact on history. I had to become the...

I started formal piano training when I was 4. From there I had little violas,...

I started formal piano training when I was 4. From there I had little violas,...

A lot of people insisted on a wall between modern dance and ballet. I'm beginning...

A lot of people insisted on a wall between modern dance and ballet. I'm beginning...

I never studied with Balanchine, but his work was very important to me.

I never studied with Balanchine, but his work was very important to me.

I think people want very much to simplify their lives enough so that they can...

I think people want very much to simplify their lives enough so that they can...

My mother was a dominant force in my life. She had a very specific idea...

My mother was a dominant force in my life. She had a very specific idea...

I was privileged to be able to study a year with Martha Graham, the last...

I was privileged to be able to study a year with Martha Graham, the last...

Dance has never been a particularly easy life, and everybody knows that.

Dance has never been a particularly easy life, and everybody knows that.

The rewards of dancing are very different from choreographing.

The rewards of dancing are very different from choreographing.

I'm not one who divides music, dance or art into various categories. Either something works,...

I'm not one who divides music, dance or art into various categories. Either something works,...

I have not wanted to intimidate audiences. I have not wanted my dancing to be...

I have not wanted to intimidate audiences. I have not wanted my dancing to be...

Optimism with some experience behind it is much more energizing than plain old experience with...

Optimism with some experience behind it is much more energizing than plain old experience with...

I don't think politicians should be allowed into power who are not familiar with their...

I don't think politicians should be allowed into power who are not familiar with their...

Any comic is a tragic soul. Comedy is one of the things that allows one...

Any comic is a tragic soul. Comedy is one of the things that allows one...

I think that anyone who's pushed to do the very best that they can is...

I think that anyone who's pushed to do the very best that they can is...

I would have to challenge the term, modern dance. I don't really use that term...

I would have to challenge the term, modern dance. I don't really use that term...

In terms of individuals who actually inspired me, very few of the academic people that...

In terms of individuals who actually inspired me, very few of the academic people that...