I thought I had to make an impact on history. I had to become the greatest choreographer of my time. That was my mission. Posterity deals with us however it sees fit. But I gave it 20 years of my…

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...

I learned very early that an audience would relax and look at things differently if...

I learned very early that an audience would relax and look at things differently if...

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 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...

The only thing I fear more than change is no change. The business of being...

The only thing I fear more than change is no change. The business of being...

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,...

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...

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 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...

There's this expression called postmodernism, which is kind of silly, and destroys a perfectly good...

There's this expression called postmodernism, which is kind of silly, and destroys a perfectly good...

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...

The necessity to constantly turn in an excellent performance, to be absolutely wedded to this...

The necessity to constantly turn in an excellent performance, to be absolutely wedded to this...

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...

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

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

In those days, male dancers were a rarer breed than women. as they are still...

In those days, male dancers were a rarer breed than women. as they are still...

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...

With each piece I've completed I have worked to make it intact, and each of...

With each piece I've completed I have worked to make it intact, and each of...

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...