TIANA THOMPSON

December 09, 2019

This is a research paper that I wrote for my Race, Ethnicity, and Crime class that I took this semester for my minor in Black World Studies. The paper delves into prison arts therapy programs, their benefits, and how they can be used to address and heaI traumas of systemic racism. Through this paper, I was able to incorporate my interests in art, racial identity, and social justice.

October 16, 2019

Classical ballet has historically been viewed as a white, euro-centric art form. As we move into an era of dance that is beginning to recognize the colonization of dance as a topic of discussion, as well as the importance of the vast contributions of non-white artists and dance forms, this paper addresses the colonization of dance in various dance curricula and how artists across the world have begun to find ways to use their platforms to decolonize dance.

February 01, 2018

This research paper was written for DANC 324. I researched and analyzed Martha Graham's Greek works, Night Journey and Errand into the Maze, and their relationship to Carl Jung's concept of psychoanalysis and archetypes. 

September 25, 2017

This paper was written for Mei-Kuang Chen's DANC 324 class. I researched Katherine Dunham and the Afro-Carribean influences that she had that inspired her choreography. One of the reasons that I chose Katherine Dunham was because she is a world-renowned African American choreographer and was one of the most distinguished dance anthropologists in her field. African American representation in the dance world is something that I strongly believe is vital for the future of dance and is a subject that I personally find extremely crucial.

April 03, 2017

For this paper, I discussed the issue of the lack of diversity in classical ballet. Although there are many issues prevalent in the world of classical ballet, the underrepresentation of colored dancers in this primarily white art form is something that I am extremely passionate about. Black representation in dance is crucial in fostering the future of this classical art form, and the lack of color in this dominantly white field is an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed more often.

February 16, 2017

This paper was written for DANC 324 and delved into some of the most well-known artistic and creative revolutionists: Igor Stravinsky, James Joyce, Pablo Picasso, and Martha Graham.

December 13, 2016

This paper was a performance critique that I wrote for DANC 341 about the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Seeing the Dance Theatre of Harlem perform in Chicago my freshman year was the first time I ever saw people of my complexion being represented on stage, and it was definitely a huge point in my life that rekindled my love for dance.