Patricia Birch facts for kids

Patricia Ann Birch (born October 16, 1934) is a super talented American artist. She is known for her amazing work as a dancer, choreographer, and director for both movies and theater shows. She has helped create some really famous performances!

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Patricia Birch grew up in Englewood, New Jersey. She started her career as a dancer on Broadway, which is a famous theater district in New York City. She danced in popular musicals like Brigadoon and West Side Story. She even played the character Anybodys in West Side Story.

Patricia also taught dance at the Juilliard School's pre-college division in New York City during the 1960s. She performed as a solo dancer with famous choreographers like Martha Graham and Agnes de Mille.

Amazing Work in Film and TV

Patricia Birch has directed and choreographed many music videos. She worked with popular singers like Cyndi Lauper, The Rolling Stones, and Carly Simon.

She won Emmy Awards for directing TV specials. These included Natalie Cole: Unforgettable and Celebrating Gershwin. She also helped stage a concert version of On the Town with the London Symphony Orchestra. For six years, she staged dance numbers for the popular TV show Saturday Night Live.

Choreography in Movies

Patricia Birch is especially famous for her work as a choreographer in movies. A choreographer creates and arranges dance routines. She worked on many well-known films, making the dance scenes look incredible.

Some of her most famous movie projects include:

• Grease (1978) – She created all the iconic dance moves for this musical film!
• Grease 2 (1982) – She not only choreographed but also directed this movie.
• Big (1988) – She choreographed the famous scene where Tom Hanks dances on a giant piano.
• The First Wives Club (1996)
• The Stepford Wives (2004)

Work on Stage Musicals

Patricia Birch has also choreographed many Broadway musicals. She helps actors move and dance on stage to tell the story.

Some of her notable stage productions include:

• Grease (1972 Broadway musical) – She choreographed the original stage version before the movie!
• A Little Night Music (1973 Broadway musical)
• Pacific Overtures (1976 Broadway musical)
• They're Playing Our Song (1979 Broadway musical)
• Raggedy Ann (1986 Broadway musical) – She was also the director for this show.
• Parade (1998 Broadway musical)

Awards and Recognition

Patricia Birch has received many awards for her amazing contributions to dance and theater.

Awards

• 1972 Drama Desk Award – for her work on Grease
• 1974 Drama Desk Award – for her work on Candide
• 2009 Induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame – This is a special honor for people who have made a big impact on American theater.

Nominations

She has also been nominated for many other awards, including several Tony Awards and Drama Desk Awards, for her work on shows like Grease, Pacific Overtures, and Parade.