What Is A Step Show

Step shows can be found nearly everywhere inintention of serving the African American
the United States. Once exclusively performed bycommunity.
African American Greek fraternities and sororitiesThe Greek-lettered societies include:o Alpha Phi
who originally helped to develop the popularity ofAlpha Fraternity, Inc.o Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,
the step shows, these shows are spreadingInc.o Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.o Delta Sigma
across the country and around the world. MoreTheta Sorority, Inc.o Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,
and more people are becoming involved inInc.o Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.o Zeta Phi
stepping from campus organizations and churchBeta Sorority, Inc.o Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority,
groups to high schools and local communities.Inc.o Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
The international Greek lettered fraternities andIn the late 1960s, historically Black fraternities and
sororities under the umbrella organization for ninesororities began embracing stepping at college
historically Black, the National Pan-Hellenic Councilcampuses. Previously using step shows as a rite
(NPHC) is an international Greek lettered group. .of passage for pledges, the Black Greek letter
The Greek-lettered societies which are referredsystem has a strong role in the college step
to collectively as the "Divine Nine", each evolvedscene. There are often specific steps to each
as organizations during a period whenchapter and sometimes the groups playfully mock
African-Americans were being denied essentialeach other's styles during competitions and
rights and privileges afforded other collegebenefits. Each society or fraternity has its own
students.step team. Stepping in these organizations
Some Greek organizations help to coordinate stepprovides an enjoyable bonding experience.
competitions in middle and high schools, affordingMembers of step teams practice the routine
the younger generations an opportunity totwice a week, which is coordinated by a trainer.
experience what stepping is all about. While manyPulling steps from past experience by members
of the step show organizations and competitionsenables teams to mesh together an assortment
follow in the footsteps of the African Americanof steps to keep audiences interested. Members
Greek organizations, they also help preserve andare encouraged to make up their own steps and
promote their cultural history as well as promotegive suggestions about what works and what
the importance of making a difference in theirdoes not.
communities. A portion of proceeds from theMany people may be discouraged at the sight of
step shows sometimes goes to build scholarshipa step routine. However, working up from the
funds or used to help the communities. This formbasics is a good way for people to see that more
of dance give much more than entertainment tocomplex steps are just combinations of simpler
the people involved. It also gives them the chancethings with some crossover. The existence of
to help out in any way they can."rhythm" can be learned over time if it is not
Historically Black Colleges and Universities or HBCUimmediately integrated. Step Team members
are educational institutions in the United Statesenjoy the physical and often aerobic work out.
that were established before 1964 with the