Research Symposium

BIO

Nina Tran is a first-year from Youngstown, OH majoring in Interdisciplinary Social Science, and minoring in Communication and Philosophy. Her engagements at FSU include the Honors Student Association, Phi Alpha Delta, and Strike Magazine. She plans to attend law school after graduation with an interest in Media and Entertainment Law.

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: dance, pop culture, ballet