Jennifer Atkins

Jennifer Atkins earned her M.A. in American Dance Studies from FSU in 2003 and also completed a Ph.D. in History, with an emphasis on how dance intersects with American women’s history. Jennifer's dissertation, "Setting the Stage: Dance and Gender in Old-Line New Orleans Carnival Balls, 1870-1920," addresses the relationship between American gender ideals of the late nineteenth century and the distinct culture of New Orleans' elite Mardi Gras rituals. This interaction of tradition and courtship is revealed through a study of the dancing, socially choreographed body. Jennifer teaches courses in dance history, research, theory, and tap technique. Her work has been presented at CORD and Popular Culture/American Culture Association conferences and, in addition to her interest in New Orleans dance, Jennifer also researches Progressive Era dance halls and hippies.