Susan Hartley DANCE Educator

Dance Teaching Artist

created by @immortaliconsofdance

Twyla’s own account of how she choreographed “Push Comes to Shove” for Baryshnikov.

“As I studied the Haydn fourth movement for the nine thousandth time […] the title occurred to me: Push Comes to Shove. A little trashy for such a grand institution as ABT, but then maybe a posh audience would be grateful for a little funk. Besides, there was a yin and yang to the words—as well as the obvious sexual hook—that suggested the juxtapositions in the ballet: the old classical forms of ballet versus jazz and its own classicism, the East of Misha and the West of me (though which of us was push and which shove was up for grabs). Then too, there was a personal reference I knew would please Misha: the name of the great Kirov instructor, responsible for Misha’s development from the time he first entered the academy as a child, was Alexandr Pushkin.

“We started working on the Lamb rag [shown in this video], transforming this Apollo into Astaire by moving his weight down, centering him further back into his legs. Working into his new character. Misha looked horrible, hideously out of whack, his poor feet, locked into their tightly confining black slippers, trying to learn parallel movement, syncopated timing, and a new, lower-to-the-ground balance, all in one fell swoop. But instead of being daunted, Misha took delight in his clumsiness. Soon he had stopped looking in the mirror-because what he saw there was too awful. Instead he began to visualize the movement for himself through its feel, reveling in the dangerous risks.”

—Twyla Tharp in her book, “Push Comes to Shove”

Video: PBS American Masters: TWYLA MOVES

To read the whole chapter from Twyla’s book explaining how she created this ballet, comment “ABT85” then check your DMs for the link

#americanballettheatre #abt #twylatharp #mikhailbaryshnikov #baryshnikov #twyla60 #abt85 #ballet

Foto portada @bestofbaryshnikov

12/18/2025

❤️

created by @immortaliconsofdance Twyla’s own account of how she choreographed “Push Comes to Shove” for Baryshnikov. “As I studied the Haydn fourth movement for the nine thousandth time […] the title occurred to me: Push Comes to Shove. A little trashy for such a grand institution as ABT, but then maybe a posh audience would be grateful for a little funk. Besides, there was a yin and yang to the words—as well as the obvious sexual hook—that suggested the juxtapositions in the ballet: the old classical forms of ballet versus jazz and its own classicism, the East of Misha and the West of me (though which of us was push and which shove was up for grabs). Then too, there was a personal reference I knew would please Misha: the name of the great Kirov instructor, responsible for Misha’s development from the time he first entered the academy as a child, was Alexandr Pushkin. “We started working on the Lamb rag [shown in this video], transforming this Apollo into Astaire by moving his weight down, centering him further back into his legs. Working into his new character. Misha looked horrible, hideously out of whack, his poor feet, locked into their tightly confining black slippers, trying to learn parallel movement, syncopated timing, and a new, lower-to-the-ground balance, all in one fell swoop. But instead of being daunted, Misha took delight in his clumsiness. Soon he had stopped looking in the mirror-because what he saw there was too awful. Instead he began to visualize the movement for himself through its feel, reveling in the dangerous risks.” —Twyla Tharp in her book, “Push Comes to Shove” Video: PBS American Masters: TWYLA MOVES To read the whole chapter from Twyla’s book explaining how she created this ballet, comment “ABT85” then check your DMs for the link #americanballettheatre #abt #twylatharp #mikhailbaryshnikov #baryshnikov #twyla60 #abt85 #ballet Foto portada @bestofbaryshnikov

Photos from Big Red Dance Project's post

05/06/2024

05/06/2024

Big Red Dance Project’s Community Outreach now scheduling programs!

11/07/2023

Per the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, the House of Representatives narrowly approved a fiscal year 2024 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies budget. That legislation includes the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and calls for a 10% reduction in funding for the agency, reducing overall spending to $186.3 million.

NASAA says "while disappointing, this outcome was anticipated, and it is important to note that the House's approval is just the first stage in the process. The Senate, which has not voted on its version of the bill, has already called for maintaining the NEA's funding at its current level of $207 million."

As the process moves to the Senate side, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies: NASAA (and we) urge you to contact your senators' offices and let them know that you strongly support the Senate’s proposal.

Click here to find your senators:
https://myreps.datamade.us/

ID: Colorful shapes surround text that says "Take action: Tell your senators to KEEP the NEA at the current $207 million."

01/20/2023

This is important! 🙌

08/24/2022

Thank you CAPS and Durham Public Schools!

Wonderful Professional Development for the incredible elementary Dance Educators! Thank you for having me. Have an incredible year!

03/22/2022

Love these folks! Love our work together! Their energy, their willingness to try something different, their appreciation is so wonderful! Thank you!

“Movement for Brain, Body and Soul”

Brain Dance 😃 Susan Hartley DANCE Educator

03/22/2022

For my wonderful folk @ The Glade at Glenaire Retirement Community 💕 The Glade Adult Day Center at Glenaire

So useful and appropriate

Photos from Susan Hartley DANCE Educator's post

11/09/2021

Wonderful classes yesterday at The Fransican School in Raleigh. Heather Daurity’s drama students were open minded and creative as we explored Movement for the Actor.

I look forward to the rest of the week.
Thank you for having me!

Thank you United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County!