Chita Rivera: An Examination of Her Influence on Jazz and Contemporary Dance Through Past, Present, and Future Perspectives

Date of Award

5-2024

Document Type

MSU-Only Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

College/School

College of the Arts

Department/Program

Theatre and Dance

Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair

Christian von Howard

Committee Member

Claire Porter

Committee Member

Diann Sichel

Abstract

This written and performative thesis examines the prestigious life of Chita Rivera and her significant contributions to jazz and contemporary dance. After reviewing her historical career, a unification of various dance styles, I intend to demonstrate how Rivera has played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of dance in entertainment. By further delving into Rivera’s contributions to popular culture and her influence on the development and direction of jazz and contemporary dance, this project aims to shed light on the significance of her legacy and the importance of her career to the study of jazz dance.

Comments

The performance video is restricted to the Montclair State University community but the PDF file of the thesis, which is located at the bottom of the screen, is available to anyone interested in reading it.

File Format

MP4

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