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Step Afrika! is the first professional dance company in the world dedicated to the tradition of stepping.[1] Step Afrika! was founded in 1994, and has expanded to become a national and international touring company presenting performance, residencies and workshops worldwide.[2]
Step Afrika! is a non-profit organization that uses "stepping" as an educational and motivational tool to bring together and entertain people of all ages.[3] The company also has a commitment to enhancing the lives of young people by engaging and inspiring them to make positive choices.[4]
The company performs in two primary dance styles:
History
Founded in 1994 as an exchange program with the Soweto Dance Theatre of Johannesburg, South Africa[5], Step Afrika! moved to the United States in 1996. It has since moved to its current headquarters, in the Atlas Performing Arts Center, on H Street NE in Washington DC.
Step Afrika! serves as a cultural ambassador, representing the nation and the tradition of stepping to international audiences, and holding performances and workshops for communities around the world. As part of their international tour, Step Afrika! joins with local dance groups and other arts organizations to develop performances that blend the styles of different cultures and create a unique experience for the audience.
Since 2006, Step Afrika! has produced a Home Performance Series (HPS), an annual week-long event to premiere the company's newest works to the Metropolitan DC audience.
Arts education
The Company has done extensive work in schools, earning the Mayor’s Arts Award for Outstanding Contributions to Arts Education in 2008. Step Afrika! has a long history of successful arts education programs. Step Afrika! holds residencies at private and public schools throughout the country and an annual summer camp every August in Washington, DC.
- Stepping with Step Afrika!
A performance and workshop. Students are taught the core values of stepping—teamwork, discipline and commitment – and then invited to learn a group step.
- Step Up to College
An in or after school residency program for 7 to 9 weeks. Students learn traditional and contemporary stepping techniques, the history of stepping, traditional African dance, drumming and body percussion, and preparation for college life.
- Youth Ensemble
A year round program for high school students, who have made the commitment to higher education and are interested in becoming master steppers.
- Summer Steps with Step Afrika!
An week-long immersion into stepping and its core values of teamwork, commitment and discipline. At the end of the week all the students come together for a culminating performance for the public.
Dancers
The Company members of Step Afrika! are:
- Mfon Akpan (Artistic Director)
- Christopher Brient
- Reginald Barrington
- Danielle Glover
- Joe Murchison
- Artis Olds
- Brittny Smith
- Jordan Spry
- Briana Stuart
- Courtney Thrower
- Andrew Vinson
See also
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