Jack Cole was significant to the history of American Dance for his ability to legitimize commercial dance from a loosely gathered form of entertainment to the development of jazz (and tap) technique as a respectable, truly American form of dance. Discuss how this dance technique was developed out of Denishawn isolation, Modern grounded floor work, and ballet aesthetic lines to merge with current culture music to form this popular style of dance. With Jazz technique’s codification how has this led to its validation as a dance technique?
Vaudeville, Film and Music Video created stars out of the singer/dancer, dancer/singer throughout the twentieth century and even today. Examples include: Josephine Baker, Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Betty Grable, Bob Fosse, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, etc.. These artists depended on their ability as performers to ‘wow’ the audience with their technical dance ability. What is it about these, among others, in commercial dance that gives them the ‘star’ quality when they dance? In the 21st century can the triple threat be compartmentalized?
