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1700 -1800:
African Americans and Irish Americans exchange traditions dances and skills such as African djouba/gioube dance which included clapping and rhythmic shuffling as well as the Irish Jig which included 6/8 time signature and shuffling footwork.

1800-1900:
The creation of Minstrel shows which included Blackface performers who focused on African American dance and music. From 1880 was the start of the early Vaudeville which was the end of Civil war and slavery. During this time we start to move away from Black face performances which was due to many of the audience members being black and irish therefore not wanting to see the Americans impersonate/make fun of them on stage.

1900-1930:
During the Vaudeville period there were many shows with included variety of acts such as dancing, acrobatics and stand up comedy. However as there was still racism, black and white performances danced in difference theatres for segregated audiences. Mental taps had been attached to the show bottom to create more sound from 1910. Certain tap steps began to have codification which was named after the dancer, sound and/or location. During this time schools began to train in tap and other theatrical skills.

This was also the time period where early Broadway for tap had started. During 1920-1930 we began to move away from
single acts and started big stage performances. Tap dancers such as Bill Robinson who performed on stage and on film as well as Shirley Temple had become very known during this time period.

1950-1960:
During this period began the decline in popularity towards tap dance. This was mainly due to the shift of dance styles moving towards Jazz and well as the creation of electronic instruments and meaning large orchestras and jazz ensembles were not as popular.

1970-1980:
This began the revival period of Tap dance. A lot of musicals such as 42nd street had been redone and people began to want to watch tap again. This was also the creation of National Tap Dance Day which is on May 25th.

990-Present:1

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Blackface: A cultural history of a racist art form

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Fred Astaire, born in May 10th 1899 was best known for his stage and film performances particularly in musical comedy films. During the Vaudeville period he created an act with his sister which became a popular attraction. They both went on to make their debut Broadway performance in 'Over the Top' (1917-18). They went on the achieve world wide fame during 1922. In 1933 Fred Astaire worked with Ginger Rogers in 'Flying Down to Rio' which became a big hit. Astaire continued to dance with other partners which include Eleanor Powell, Rita Hayworth and Lucille Bremer. Fred Astaires stylistic qualities include the use of ballroom in which is shown through this use of partner work. His innovative filming techniques consisted on focusing on dance steps which the use of a stationary camera shot. The camera framed his entire body so the audience was able to see every step clearly. He retired in 1946 temporarily however returned in 1948 appearing in a range of Technicolour musicals for MGM. These musicals consisted of high level body work. Fred Astaire sadly passes away in June 22, 1987 aged 88.

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Ann Miller, born in April 12th 1923 started her tap career at a very young age. She is famous for being a musical theatre tap dancer whilst being one of the most known female dancers of 1940’s and 50’s. Whilst being home-schooled, Ann Miller continued to take Tap classes whiched allowed  In 1937, RKO wanted to sign her as a contracted performer if she was able to prove she was 18. Although she was 14 she was able to get a fake birth certificate in order to get signed. Her first performance was on the film 'Stage Door' (1937) in which she was dancing partners with Ginger Rogers however her biggest hit was for 'George White's Scandals' in 1939. During the Second World War Ann Miller performed in small musicals in order to please troops through the years 1942 - 1944.

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IMDB. (No Date). Ann Miller. Available: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0587900/bio. Last accessed 16th Apr 2019.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2019). Fred Astaire.Available: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Fred-Astaire. Last accessed 15th Apr 2019.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (No Date). Minstrel Show.Available: https://www.britannica.com/art/minstrel-show. Last accessed 15th Apr 2019.

PepsiPrime. (2007). Swing Time - Rogers and Astaire. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxPgplMujzQ. Last accessed 15th Apr 2019.

z1681691. (2012). Tap Dancing Timeline. Available: https://taplife.wordpress.com/2012/12/02/tap-dancing-timeline/. Last accessed 15th Apr 2019.

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I have very little previous experience with tap prior to joining Addict. I had attended a couple tap lessons at the age of 7 however all I learn was the basics such as shuffling ball-change. Following this, when I attended college we did tap for a year however I was in the bottom group. I learnt things such as cramp rolls and time steps but struggled to hear the noises every time as my ankles were not relaxed. Since being at Addict I believe my tap has improved. I am able to make clearer sounds and have more clarity of the steps. However I have noticed I struggle with knowing what to do with the upper section of my body and need to focus of facial expressions and performance skills in general. My plan of action is to research more into musical theatre tap to have a better understanding on performance skills needed.