Choreographer Lynne Taylor-Corbett Passes Away at 78

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report the passing of choreographer Lynne Taylor-Corbett. The news was confirmed by her son, Shaun Taylor-Corbett.

Lynne was nominated for Tony Awards and a Drama Desk Award for Broadway’s Swing! and received Drama Desk and Lortel nominations for “My Vaudeville Man” and “Wanda’s World” Off-Broadway. She also directed and choreographed Distant Thunder, and was associate producer of the production under her company with her son, Tall Tree Productions.

Her choreography can be seen in feature films “Footloose”, “My Blue Heaven” and “Bewitched” and her dance works have been commissioned by New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre among others. Companies throughout the world have performed her works which have been seen on Live from Lincoln Center, Live from the San Francisco Opera House and on UNC-TV.

Ms. Taylor-Corbett was a member of the Society for Directors and Choreographers, and a member the Counsel of Advisors for the Association on American Indian Affairs, an organization that does amazing service throughout Indian Country. 

Taylor-Corbett was the second Caucasian dancer in the Alvin Ailey company and toured Africa and the Middle East with Alvin and danced with her friend Judith Jamison.

She co-created Theatre Dance Collection, in which she danced and choreographed, leading to her performing the role of Cassie on Broadway in A Chorus Line, and Promises Promises with Tommy Tune.

She directed and choreographed Cougar the Musical, KICK! and When It Happens to You Off-Broadway, and adapted and directed The Lion King for Disney Hong Kong.

Always active, Ms. Taylor-Corbett was looking forward to working with New York City Ballet on a work entitled "Chiaroscuro" for their upcoming season, and a regional production of Distant Thunder in 2026.

She is survived by her son, Shaun and her sisters Kelly, Jan, Sharon, Leslie and Carol. In lieu of flowers, Lynne would like donations to go to the future of their Native pop musical, Distant Thunder via amasmusical.org.