Research Symposium

BIO

Maren Kaymak-Loveless is a Public Relations student at Florida State University. Originally from the Philadelphia area, she has long been interested in the arts, design, communications, travel, as well as writing and research. She is passionate about how storytelling and strategic communication connect audiences with brands, experiences, and ideas.

Set to graduate in Spring 2028, Maren brings a creative background shaped by years of ballet training, where she spent many weekends in the studio developing discipline, collaboration, and artistic expression. She also spent her freshman year studying abroad in Valencia, Spain, an experience that broadened her global perspective and strengthened her interest in international travel and culture.

Maren also works with local fashion magazines in the Tallahassee area, gaining hands-on experience in the industry while learning from peers with similar creative interests.

After graduation, Maren hopes to pursue a career as a public relations specialist in the global travel, fashion, or luxury brand management industries, combining her interests in communication, research, branding, and international experiences. In her free time, she enjoys fitness and nutrition and is a certified spin instructor.

Pop Culture Movements: Swan Lake Unfolded

Abstract

Pop Culture Movements: Swan Lake Unfolded examines how Swan Lake and its symbols relate to popular culture, particularly in the television shows Bridgerton, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Ted Lasso. Scholars have extensively documented Swan Lake’s influence on dance and performance history, but there is little research dedicated to the ballet’s social influence in modern media. Historical precedent demonstrates the lasting impact Swan Lake has had on popular culture, and the ballet’s socio-cultural significance shows itself in the hidden allusions that appear in widely consumed entertainment. The methodology includes the analysis of three television series and the coding of recurring motifs and themes through collective discourse. Scholarly articles and contemporary media publications relevant to the research scope also contribute to the sample of media coded for thematic connections to Swan Lake. This humanities-based qualitative research is ongoing and examines themes of dual identity, power, and restriction through collaboration with a diverse network of interdisciplinary scholars and practitioners. These patterns suggest that classical art remains embedded in modern storytelling, even when audiences may not consciously recognize the connection. For pop culture audiences, our findings highlight the importance of media literacy and understanding how historical works shape present-day narratives. The group is in the final stages of developing a podcast and companion website to present these findings in an accessible format. Together, these platforms demonstrate Swan Lake’s lasting cultural influence beyond traditional performance spaces.

Keywords: Ballet, Swan Lake, Dance