Florida State University Libraries Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School 2006 The Texas Tommy, Its History, Controversies, and Influence on American Vernacular Dance Rebecca R. Strickland Follow this and additional works at the FSU Digital Library. For more information, please contact
[email protected] FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF VISUAL ARTS, THEATRE AND DANCE THE TEXAS TOMMY, ITS HISTORY, CONTROVERSIES, AND INFLUENCE ON AMERICAN VERNACULAR DANCE By REBECCA R. STRICKLAND A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Dance In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts Degree Awarded: Spring Semester, 2006 Copyright © 2006 Rebecca R. Strickland All Rights Reserved The members of the committee approve the thesis of Rebecca Strickland defended on March 31, 2006. Tricia Young Professor Directing Thesis Sally Sommer Committee Member John Perpener Committee Member Approved: Elizabeth Patenuade, Chair, Department of Dance Sally E. McRorie, Dean, College of Visual Arts, Theatre and Dance The Office of Graduate Studies has verified and approved the above named committee members. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost I need to thank and acknowledge my husband, Michael Strickland, for his constant encouragement, enthusiasm, and assistance. I owe much to my wonderful partner who has attached and dedicated himself to my interest in all things swing. I also want to recognize my parents, Dr. Gary and Peg Kelm, who have supported my passion for dance, leading to my pursuit of this Master’s degree concentrating on American dance history. My thesis advisor, Dr. Tricia Young, has guided me through the final stages of this process with more patience than I deserve.