Lynne Taylor-Corbett

Lynne Aileen Taylor-Corbett (December 2, 1946 – January 12, 2025) was an American choreographer, director, lyricist and composer.

Life and career Lynne Taylor-Corbett was born in Denver, Colorado on December 2, 1946.

She worked in theatre and film (most notably, creating the choreography for the dance classic Footloose (1984) ), and also choreographed for dance companies, both ballet and modern, and was the principal guest choreographer for Carolina Ballet. She choreographed the dance Great Galloping Gottschalk (set to music of Louis Moreau Gottschalk) for the American Ballet Theatre, which premiered the work in Miami in January 1982.

Taylor-Corbett was nominated for the 2000 Tony Award, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Choreography for the musical Swing! and also received a 2000 Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Choreography. Her recent stage work includes both directing and choreographing the musical My Vaudeville Man!, which ran off-Broadway at the York Theatre Company from November 2008 through January 2009. She received a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Choreography with her collaborator, Shonn Wiley, for My Vaudeville Man!.

Taylor Corbett created some of her most inspiring choreography on Carolina Ballet. She worked with the company extensively for 10 years and developed deep knowledge of the strengths of the Carolina Ballet dancers. Lynne also familiarized herself with the North Carolina Triangle region. In North Carolina, Lynne was most recognized for her lively crowd pleasing "Carolina Jamboree", featuring music by the Red Clay Ramblers, a North Carolinian blue grass band. During the live performances of Carolina Jamboree, the Red Clay Ramblers are integrated with the professional dancers. Lynne wanted local music to be the soul of her work in Carolina Jamboree and this is clearly presented by having the live band elevated on stage with the dancers. The intermissions of the piece are even choreographed balletically and musically. The Red Clay Ramblers play interludes with active audience and dancer participation. Carolina Ballet received rave reviews for its revival of Carolina Jamboree in 2013, both at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium and at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC). The ballet choreography in Carolina Jamboree evokes lively folk dancing shown through several solos, pas de deuxs, and group dances. The "Red Rocking Chair" female solo is deeply moving in its depiction of a mother who has lost her newborn. Lynne's Taylor Corbett's work in Carolina Jamboree carries a strong sense of nationalism towards American dance. The ballet is split into three acts. The first: "Appalachia Stories," the second: "The Mystery of Nell Cropsey," and the third: "Fiddlesticks." All three sections touch on the hardships of the Great Depression and the joys of overcoming such hard times. Carolina Jamboree is a true testament to Lynne's Taylor-Corbett's talent. The piece showcases dancers abilities both technically and emotionally and it is a joy to view as an audience member.

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society announced that Lynne Taylor-Corbett is the recipient of the 2008 Joseph A. Callaway Award for excellence in stage directing and choreography.

She was married to Michael Corbett, and divorced in 1983.

Taylor-Corbett died of breast cancer at a hospital in Rockville Centre, New York on January 12, 2025, at the age of 78.

Selected stage works (choreographer) Wanda's World – 2008 (also directed) Swing! – 1999 (also directed) Titanic – 1997 The Fields of Ambrosia - 1993 Chess – 1988 Shakespeare's Cabaret – 1981

Ballet/dance Bolero, Carolina Ballet, 2018 Dracula, Carolina Ballet, 2010 Monet Impressions Carolina Ballet, 2007 Carmina Burana, Carolina Ballet, 2000 Chiaroscuro, New York City Ballet Diamond Project II, 1994 Mercury, New York City Ballet Diamond Project, 1992 Estuary, ABT, Miami Beach Theater of the Performing Arts, 1983 Great Galloping Gottschalk, ABT, Miami Beach Theater of the Performing Arts, 1982