Dance 171VD - Studies in Dance History: 'From Vaudeville to the Silver Screen'

This course covers the history and evolution of dance in early 20th-century America with a focus on dances presented in vaudeville variety shows and early cinema. We will explore the work of entrepreneurial artists performing on stages across the U.S., as well as in dance films and Hollywood movies. We will think theoretically about dance practice and performance as a vast web of personal, political and cultural expression, and consider how the contributions of dancers of color have often been excluded from the canon. The course will culminate in research tailored to the interests and skills of each student.