Survey of African American Dance and Its Contribution to the African Diaspora

Survey of African American Dance is an informative panorama of the role of the African American in the development of dance in America. It identifies the influences and contributions of the African American movement aesthetic seen throughout the history of American Dance. Special focus is placed on the philosophies, technical styles, struggles and victories of African American dance artists.

The first half of the text will investigate dance in the Ancient Egyptian culture, the influence of the African Dance Diaspora, effects of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, establishment of Dance on the Plantation, and the dichotomy of the Minstrel shows. The second half will encompass distinctive contributions of African American artists in the theatrical arena of Tap, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Other Movement Forms including social dance past and present.