Twyla Tharp, one of the most innovative choreographers in American history, will visit the Lorenzo Cultural Center Oct. 14 as part of the American Ingenuity: Embracing the Freedom to Dream program series.
Tharp, drawing on experiences from her own life as a well as diverse examples ranging from Beethoven to Maurice Sendak, will explore the nature of creativity itself, focusing on themes of process versus product. Her presentation, The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life, begins at 7 p.m. Tharp’s presentation shares its title with her 2003 book. Last year, Simon and Schuster published Tharp’s follow-up book, The Collaborative Habit: Life Lessons for Working Together.
Tharp has led her dance company, Twyla Tharp Dance, since 1965. In addition to choreographing works for her own company, Tharp has created dances for numerous ballet and dance companies across the nation and in Europe. Her work has appeared on Broadway, in movies and on television. Her 1985 production of Singin’ In The Rain played at the Gershwin and was followed by an extensive national tour. In 2002, Ms. Tharp’s award-winning dance musical Movin’ Out, set to the music and lyrics of Billy Joel, premiered at the Richard Rodgers, where it ran for three years. A national tour opened in 2004 and also ran for three years. For Movin’ Out Tharp received the 2003 Tony Award, the 2003 Astaire Award, the Drama League Award for Sustained Achievement in Musical Theater; and both the Drama Desk Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Choreography. For the London production, Tharp won Best Choreography (Musical Theatre) Award of the UK's Critics' Circle National Dance Awards 2006. In 2006 Tharp worked with Bob Dylan’s music and lyrics to create The Times They Are A-Changin’, which played at the Brooks Atkinson.
“America has produced innovators and imaginative thinkers in so many realms,” said Linda Wells, vice president, Student and Community Relations at Macomb Community College. “Tharp has repeatedly displayed a vision, an ability to not only imagine something new but also an ability to share that imagination with others and bring it to reality on stage or screen. Her innovative spirit is exactly what we are lifting up and celebrating during this program series.”
American Ingenuity began Sept. 25 and continues through Nov. 21 at the Lorenzo Cultural Center, located on Macomb Community College’s Center Campus, M-59 and Garfield, in Clinton Township.
Tharp’s presentation is one of two Speaker Series events during the American Ingenuity program series. On Nov. 12, Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer, will be the featured speaker.
Tickets are required for the Oct. 14 Twyla Tharp and the Nov. 12 Steve Wozniak presentation, both of which begin at 7 p.m. Tickets for each event are $15, or $5 for seniors, students, and military personnel. Tickets to the presentation that include a meet & greet opportunity at 5:30-6:30 p.m. for the Oct 14 Tharp presentation are still available and are $30. To purchase tickets for these events, call 586.286.2222 or visit .MacombCenter.com. All other presentations during the series are free.
The Lorenzo Cultural Center is open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Additional information on the center and on the American Ingenuity program series is available at LorenzoCulturalCenter.com
Group visits are welcome during the series and may be arranged by calling 586.445.7348.
About the Lorenzo Cultural Center
The Lorenzo Cultural Center (LorenzoCulturalCenter.com) explores the influences and experiences that shape our community's heritage, examining topics from a variety of perspectives and creating interactive opportunities for learning, celebration and entertainment. Located on Macomb Community College's Center Campus, Hall and Garfield Roads in Clinton Township, the cultural center is adjacent to the Macomb Center for Performing Arts.
About Macomb Community College
Macomb Community College (macomb.edu) is one of the nation’s leading community colleges, providing learning experiences to more than 48,000 students annually. Macomb nationally ranks in the top two percent in the number of associate degrees awarded and as the largest grantor of associate degrees in Michigan. The college’s comprehensive educational programming includes pre-collegiate experiences, university transfer and career preparation programs, bachelor degree completion and graduate degree programs, workforce training, professional education and certification, and continuing education and enrichment opportunities.
Media contact:
Dan Heaton
586.445.7271
heatond@macomb.edu