American Masters

History Series / 11 Seasons

American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.

1h 51m / TV-14

Twyla Tharp's famous "Eight Jelly Rolls" Dance

55s

Choreographed by Twyla Tharp in 1971, "Eight Jelly Rolls" has become a canonical work in American dance history. The style exhibited in the performance combines elements from classical ballet, jazz, tap, athletics, hip-hop, and also includes music by Jelly Roll Morton.

Tharp and Baryshnikov's "totally unexpected" collaboration

4m 32s

In the 1970's, choreographer Twyla Tharp and Mikhail Baryshnikov collaborated, resulting in a dance that was "totally unexpected" for the classically trained ballet star from Russia. Archival footage shows Baryshnikov in "Push," which starts in a modern "slouch" style and continues with "all he's got." "It can only have happened between the two of us at that moment in time," Tharp recalls.

What's it like choreographing a dance for Zoom?

2m 3s

Choreographer Twyla Tharp choreographed a new dance specifically for Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic while most people were advised to stay at home. Tharp, along with dancers Misty Copeland and Herman Cornejo discovered an unexpected technical challenge in trying to communicate virtually that made this project even more difficult.

Twyla Tharp's very valuable college decision

1m 17s

When choreographer Twyla Tharp arrived at Barnard College she was immediately disappointed with their dance offerings. So she directed her own dance studies using New York City as her classroom. In addition, a second concentration the college turned out to be "very valuable" for Tharp's career.

The time Twyla Tharp setup a performance in Central Park

1m 48s

Archival footage shows one of Twyla Tharp's dances in Central Park amongst football games, bicyclists, police on horseback, and picnickers. The location made it impossible to have a separation between audience members and performers. And Tharp learned some valuable things about choreography and distance from the experience.

The time Twyla Tharp pushed David Byrne to his limits

2m 58s

In 1981, Twyla Tharp commissioned David Byrne of the Talking Heads to write music for a Broadway show featuring Tharp's modern choreography. Not only did Tharp push the well-trained dancers to their limits, she pushed David Byrne, he says, more than anyone had before.

Twyla Moves

2m 36s

Twyla Moves explores the life of legendary dancer, director and choreographer Twyla Tharp. Jumping from historical footage to the present day, the film traces her influential career while providing an intimate look at her famously rigorous creative process.

Why did Flannery O'Connor detest "Gone with the Wind"?

2m 41s

The Atlanta premiere of “Gone with the Wind” in 1939 was an historic event for many in Georgia. Everyone had “Gone with the Wind” fever, it seemed, except for Flannery O’Connor who, as a 14 year old, reportedly “couldn’t stand” the romanticized, Hollywood version of the old South. In response, she later wrote a short story mocking the excitement over the film.

Flannery

1m 54s

Explore the life of Flannery O’Connor whose provocative fiction was unlike anything published before. Featuring never-before-seen archival footage, newly discovered journals and interviews with Mary Karr, Tommy Lee Jones, Hilton Als and more.

Twyla Tharp: Inside Look

2m

American Masters and legendary dancer, director, and choreographer Twyla Tharp provide an inside look at the way she approaches her work. Tune in or stream Twyla Moves on American Masters starting Fri, Mar 26 at 9/8c.

Halle Berry on how seeing Diahann Caroll on TV changed her

1m 57s

In this outtake from "American Masters: How It Feels To Be Free," actress Halle Berry talks about the television show that "rearranged her" and made her realize that she "had value," demonstrating the importance of having role models in media.

Lena Waithe on mixed feelings towards Blaxploitation

1m 59s

Despite the mixed feelings that many Black people have towards the genre of film, producer, actor and writer Lena Waithe says that "if Blaxploitation gives us Pam Grier I'll take it any day."

Alicia Keys doesn’t mind being compared to Lena Horne

2m 1s

The musician talks about why she admires Horne so much and how one of her dreams would be to play her. She also explains what she means when she says that she’s “ready to be free.”

The role of women entertainers in the civil rights movement

1m 8s

Historian Ruth Feldstein, author of “How It Feels To Be Free,” talks about the important role that entertainers, and women entertainers in particular, had in the civil rights movement. This clip is an interview outtake from the American Masters film of the same name.

Why Cicely Tyson was selective about her acting roles

43s

Cicely Tyson's support for civil rights came through her portrayals of Black womanhood in her film roles. As a result, she was selective in the kind of work she took on and describes here how roles that appealed to her didn't come very often.

Lena Waithe on why Cicely Tyson's hair was revolutionary

1m 58s

Writer, producer, and actor Lena Waithe explains why the hair of Black women can be revolutionary, and how Cicely Tyson's decision to wear hers naturally was an inspiration to many other Black women.

How It Feels To Be Free documentary

30s

The inspiring story of how six iconic African American female entertainers – Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson and Pam Grier – challenged an entertainment industry deeply complicit in perpetuating racist stereotypes, and transformed themselves and their audiences in the process.

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