This research examines how race and gender shaped tap dance performance during Hollywood’s Golden Age through the careers of Eleanor Powell and Jeni Le Gon. The thesis reveals how MGM appropriated Black performance traditions while suppressing Black performers themselves, demonstrating that dance and performance are deeply political cultural practices.

This project develops a strategy to improve visibility and engagement for film archives like the TIFF Film Reference Library. By addressing access barriers and promoting community partnerships, it aims to increase public awareness and support. The work highlights the cultural and economic importance of preserving and accessing audiovisual heritage.

This research argues that traditional self-sacrificing hero narratives no longer fit a complex, modern world. Using an animated screenplay as a case study, it proposes a metamodern approach centered on collective liberation. The work blends critical theory and creative practice to show how contemporary storytelling can inspire collaboration rather than individual heroism.