This paper will inform you all about Bill Robinson and his carrer. Bill Robinson as known as “Bojangles” was a huge iconic African- American tap dancer and actor during the Harlem Renisance. Bojangles was best known for his Broadway performances and film roles.
At the young age of five Robinson began his carrer, performing at the local beer gardens in Richmond,Virgina. At the age of nine he joined the Mayme Remington’s touring troupe. In 1891 he had joined a traveling company, performing as a vaudeville act. He achieved his greatest success performing as a nightclub and musical comedy performer. He performed almost exclusively in black theaters before black audiences. It was not long before Bojangles was performing on Broadway entertaining the white community. In 1908 he got his first manager, Marty Forkins. Marty wanted Robinson to develop his solo act in nightclubs. Shortly after Robinson got his first manager he had to take a …show more content…
From his first show he was hailed as one of the greatest dancers and featured in seven different newspapers. Blackbirds was a revue starring African-American performers, intended for white audiences. Which was considered very rare at the time because of all the racial and prejudice going on at the time. This is around the time Bill Robinson became known as “Bojangles”. Bojangles was presented as a happy, outgoing, positive performer. Robinson worked regularly as an actor but was best known for his tap-dance routines. He started a new form of tap, shifting from flat-footed style to a light swinging style that focused on elegant footwork, creating a smooth performance. His form of dance rarely used the upper half of his body. Changing the way dance was viewed, and inspiring many people in the Harlem Renaissance that would become very good dancers during that
At the young age of five Robinson began his carrer, performing at the local beer gardens in Richmond,Virgina. At the age of nine he joined the Mayme Remington’s touring troupe. In 1891 he had joined a traveling company, performing as a vaudeville act. He achieved his greatest success performing as a nightclub and musical comedy performer. He performed almost exclusively in black theaters before black audiences. It was not long before Bojangles was performing on Broadway entertaining the white community. In 1908 he got his first manager, Marty Forkins. Marty wanted Robinson to develop his solo act in nightclubs. Shortly after Robinson got his first manager he had to take a …show more content…
From his first show he was hailed as one of the greatest dancers and featured in seven different newspapers. Blackbirds was a revue starring African-American performers, intended for white audiences. Which was considered very rare at the time because of all the racial and prejudice going on at the time. This is around the time Bill Robinson became known as “Bojangles”. Bojangles was presented as a happy, outgoing, positive performer. Robinson worked regularly as an actor but was best known for his tap-dance routines. He started a new form of tap, shifting from flat-footed style to a light swinging style that focused on elegant footwork, creating a smooth performance. His form of dance rarely used the upper half of his body. Changing the way dance was viewed, and inspiring many people in the Harlem Renaissance that would become very good dancers during that