Marguerite Pomerhn-Derricks (born 1961), professionally known as Marguerite Derricks, is a former ballerina and a multi award-winning choreographer from Buffalo, New York.[1]
Marguerite Derricks | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1961 (age 62–63) Buffalo, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Marguerite Pomerhn-Derricks |
| Occupation(s) | Choreographer, former ballerina |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Awards | 3 consecutive Emmy awards, 3 American Choreography awards, 4 MTV Movie awards, 1 NAACP Award for Best Choreography, 1 Astaire award |
Derricks studied ballet at the National Ballet School of Canada; she admired Karen Kain.[1] Derricks was behind the choreography of two films similar in their subject matter, Striptease (1996) and Showgirls (1995).[2] Some of her more noted works include the Austin Powers films, 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), Donnie Darko (2001), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), and Spider-Man 3 (2007). After the first Austin Powers film, she became famous and increased her reputation with an advertisement for The Gap, "Go Go." During one interview, she said that with regard to her newfound popularity, "it all started with Mike [Myers]," (the star of Austin Powers) and added that "Go Go has changed my life."[1]
In 2006, Derricks choreographed Sister Act the Musical, which had its world premiere at the Pasadena Playhouse. In 2009, she served as the choreographer for director Kevin Tancharoen's remake of the movie Fame, and for Gregory Boyd and Frank Wildhorn's musical "Wonderland" – a twist on the "Alice in Wonderland" children's story. Derricks also choreographed Tom Cruise's dance performance as the movie mogul Les Grossman in the 2008 film Tropic Thunder.
Recognition
editDerricks is the only choreographer to win three consecutive Emmy Awards: she won for her work on the television series 3rd Rock from the Sun (1997), Fame L.A. (1998), and the 1998 Goodwill Games Ceremony (1999). In 2002, she won an American Choreography Award for her work on That '70s Show[3] adding to two others for The Gap "Go Go" and the short lived sitcom Jenny starring Jenny McCarthy. She won an NAACP Award for Best Choreography for Sister Act the Musical. She has also won four MTV Movie Awards for Best Dance (Austin Powers, Charlie's Angels, 10 Things I Hate About You, and American Wedding).
References
edit- ^ a b c Bob Thompson, "A woman on the Go Go: Catchy Gap ad, Austin Powers' moves make choreographer a hot commodity," Kingston Whig - Standard. Kingston, Ontario: July 5, 1999, pg. 27.
- ^ Stanley Kauffmann, "Survivors," New Republic, 7/29/96, Vol. 215 Issue 5, pages 24-25.
- ^ Internet Movie Database, "Awards for Marguerite Pomerhn Derricks," URL accessed 18 January 2007.