Theatre & Dance ETDs
Publication Date
7-3-2012
Abstract
Toe-tap is an extreme form of tap dancing. As related to both American ballet and tap dance history, this style has been widely forgotten. Noisy Feet: The Forgotten Click of American Toe-Tap, 1925-1935' is the beginning of an effort to include toe-tap in dance history, acknowledging toe-tap's questionable relationship to ballet. The work investigates the state of American ballet before the arrival of the Ballets Russes and explores innovations of pointe, tap, and toe-tap shoes by theatrical shoe makers. It defines the style of toe-tap and provides choreographic analyses of toe-tap pieces, examines the lives and careers of individual toe-tappers, and discusses the importance of toe-tap as it relates to novelty and economics during this time period. This thesis draws extensively from primary source materials, including historic newspapers, patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and film clips from Hollywood, including newsreels, short films, and full-length features.
Degree Name
Theatre & Dance
Level of Degree
Masters
Department Name
Theatre & Dance
First Committee Member (Chair)
Chazin-Bennahum, Judith
Second Committee Member
Reche, Vladimir Conde
Language
English
Keywords
Tap dancing -- United States -- History -- 20th Century
Document Type
Thesis
Recommended Citation
Williams, Sarah Helen. "Noisy Feet: The Forgotten Click of American Toe-Tap, 1925 — 1935." (2012). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/thea_etds/8
