Think cutting-edge movements set to classical music, jazz and pop; dancer, choreographer, teacher and innovator. One hundred and thirty-five works, five Hollywood movies, three Broadway shows, two books, a Tony Award, and two Emmy Awards later, Twyla Tharp will be honored as Nevada Ballet Theatre's Woman of the Year 2008 at The Black & White Ball on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at Wynn Las Vegas.


From the woman who said, "I always, somehow, knew that I was going to dance," Tharp certainly has made an indelible mark on the dance industry. In a recent article from The New York Times called "New York Loves Them? Tough!" Dance Critic Alastair McCauley remarks "Numerous regional companies from Atlanta to Kansas City will acquire various Tharp works in 2008. The list at twylatharp.org makes it look as if Ms. Tharp is getting ready to take over the American dance world."


As the ballet's largest fundraiser, Nevada Ballet Theatre's Black & White Ball has become locally famous over the course of twenty-three years, honoring well-known women who have contributed to the performing arts and beyond. An annual event, The Black & White Ball is considered to be one of the premiere social events in Las Vegas and generates a vast amount of local and national press.


Executive Director Beth Barbre remarks "Each year, Nevada Ballet Theatre's Black & White Ball pays tribute to an inspirational woman whose life and career has impacted the arts. Twyla's unique ability to juxtapose, blend, bend, and shape the best of all dance forms is a talent all its own.  As a classically based ballet company, Nevada Ballet Theatre is inspired by her numerous collaborations, creations, and avant-garde ideas that have taken our art form to new heights."


Known for her blending of classical ballet technique with "natural" movements, Twyla Tharp is a choreographic force in the dance world. Beginning dance at the age of four, to heading her own company under the same name, to her work with Mikhail Baryshnikov and American Ballet Theatre, ballet companies everywhere are clamoring to present her dynamic and highly intelligent works. Most recently famous in the mainstream world as the choreographer and director of Broadway's Movin' Out, Twyla has expanded her name beyond dance – reaching the roots of pop culture.


"Being able to honor Ms. Tharp at this time holds special meaning for us; we are proud to present her Nine Sinatra Songs as part of our 2007-2008 season in February. Adding her ballet to our repertoire is an important mark in the company's history. We are very pleased to recognize her contributions to American dance," says Artistic Director Bruce Steivel.


The Black & White Ball is attended by hundreds of guests as well as local and national celebrities including Tony Curtis, Robert Goulet, Phyllis McGuire, Smokey Robinson and Mary Wilson.


Nevada Ballet Theatre's past honorees read like a who's who of legendary women in the performing arts. Since 2001, Nevada Ballet Theatre has honored Debbie Reynolds (2001), Chita Rivera (2002), Carol Channing (2003) Celine Dion (2004), Ann-Margret (2005), Rita Rudner (2006) and most recently Paula Abdul (2007).


Proceeds from the evening will allow Nevada Ballet Theatre to continue to provide main stage productions by its professional company, quality dance training within its affiliated school, the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre, as well as through its Education and Outreach program, Future Dance.


ABOUT HONOREE  TWYLA THARP – OFFICIAL BIO


Since graduating from college in 1963, Twyla Tharp has choreographed more than one hundred thirty-five dances, five Hollywood movies, directed and choreographed three Broadway shows, written two books and received one Tony Award, two Emmy Awards, seventeen honorary doctorates, the Vietnam Veterans of America President's Award, the 2004 National Medal of the Arts and many grants including the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellowship. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and an Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.


In 1965 Ms. Tharp founded her dance company, Twyla Tharp Dance. In addition to choreographing for her own company, she has choreographed for many other companies including: American Ballet Theatre, The Paris Opera Ballet, The Royal Ballet, New York City Ballet, The Boston Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance and The Martha Graham Dance Company.


Ms. Tharp's work first appeared on Broadway in 1980 with WHEN WE WERE VERY YOUNG, followed in 1981 by her collaboration with David Byrne on THE CATHERINE WHEEL at the Winter Garden. 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 and ran for three years. A national tour opened in 2004 and also ran for three years. For MOVIN' OUT Ms. 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 Ms. Tharp won Best Choreography (Musical Theatre) Award of the UK's Critics' Circle National Dance Awards 2006. In 2006 Ms. Tharp worked with Bob Dylan's music and lyrics to create THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN' which played at the Brooks.


ABOUT NEVADA BALLET THEATRE


Under the direction of Artistic Director Bruce Steivel, Nevada Ballet Theatre is the largest professional ballet company and dance Academy in the state.  Committed to the highest artistic standards, dancers for the forty-one member company have been recruited from around the world and include artists with international performing experience.  This classically-based company is at home in an eclectic repertory, moving easily from the classics to the high-energy contemporary ballets.  The mission of Nevada Ballet Theatre is to educate and inspire regional, statewide and national audiences and vitally impact community life through professional company productions, dance training and education and outreach.