Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Department
Theatre and Dance
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
Tap dance is an American art form that began with the blending of traditional dance styles from English and Irish immigrants and African slaves. Throughout the 20th century, tap dance developed many styles in response to cultural changes that took place. Contemporary tap dance emerged in the latter half of that century and continues developing today with the fusion of other dance genres and new technologies. This research examines tap dance history to create an understanding of how it developed through a historical lens and analyzes the current approaches applied to the artform along with the characteristics and creative processes of influential contemporary tap dance figures. I utilized this research to influence my choreography and discover my own artistic voice within the genre.
Advisor(s) or Committee Chair
Amanda Clark, M.F.A.
Disciplines
American Popular Culture | Dance | Performance Studies | Women's Studies
Recommended Citation
Wilham, Elise, "Tap for the Times: A Study of Contemporary Tap Dance" (2020). Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects. Paper 859.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses/859
Free to Express
Wilham_Elise_Unsettled.MP4 (849434 kB)
Unsettled
Included in
American Popular Culture Commons, Dance Commons, Performance Studies Commons, Women's Studies Commons