Masters Thesis

Women of the tap renaissance

Tap, America's own indigenous dance form, has a rich and colorful history that parallels American history. With roots in African and Irish dance and influences from English Lancashire clog dancing, tap thrived in the United States during the first four and a half decades of the twentieth century. The history of tap dance has traditionally focused on the male narrative, often undervaluing or even omitting the myriad contributions of women tap dance artists. The women's narrative, however, is significant and a crucial component in tap dance history, particularly during the 1970s and 80s when female tap dance artists worked to bring tap out of its decline in popularity by saving, transforming, reinvigorating, and propelling tap dance into its future. As a female tap dancer, choreographer, and tap dance educator, I believe it is important that our female genealogy is recognized, chronicled, and celebrated. This thesis works to bring women back into their rightful place in the story of tap.

Relationships

In Collection:

Items in ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.