Each year, the University of North Alabama hosts two semi-annual charity events, Step Sing and Step Show, in efforts to raise money for a local non-profit, United Way. On Friday, October 2nd, organizations across campus rallied together in friendly competition to step their way toward the trophy and most importantly, bragging rights until next semester’s Step Sing. This year was no exception. Teams sprang up across campus a month in advance, putting in countless hours of practice, and they did not disappoint. With intriguing storylines, impressive routines, and coordinated costumes, each organization made the stage their own for a cause near and dear to each participants’ heart: United Way.
The 10 dollar ticket proceeds, as well as the monetary donations collected by volunteers before the show all go toward United Way in an effort to support the organization and their cause.
The show opened with SGA President, Nick Lang’s welcome and emcees, UNA Vice President Shields and Miss UNA, Rachel Wammack providing introductions while the teams prepared to compete.
With the tinkling of bells, UNA’s Alpha Gamma Delta took the stage. The Gypsy Girls wasted no time in capturing the attention of the auditorium and embodying their theme without effort. A definite crowd favorite, Alpha Gam kicked off the competition flawlessly.
Next in line came UNA’s Alpha Phi Alpha, a first-time competitor in the annual step show competition, although you couldn’t tell by watching them perform. The newcomers entertained from beginning to end. What they lacked in numbers they made up for in showmanship, telling the story of “Death at a Funeral”, complete with both pastor and cardboard casket. APA left the crowd feeling thoroughly entertained as the next crew took the stage.
Phi Mu’s “STOMP” started off with a bang… literally, as participants beat upon metal buckets with drumsticks. And that was only the beginning. As the performance unfolded, one thing remained throughout: the sass. These ladies definitely know how to bring it and it showed.
Up next came Alpha Delta Pi’s show “Magicians”, opening with their very own magic top hat, which soon became my favorite prop of the night. Complete with bow ties and sequins, ADPi mesmerized the crowd with optical illusions and gymnastics alike.
The Alpha Tau Omega Stormtroopers immediately captured the attention of everyone in the room, as the brothers invaded the stage. As always, ATO delivered a thrilling number full of complex steps and formations that upped the competition even further.
UNA’s Honors Student Organization, the only non-greek participant of the year, turned out an exciting performance of “Black Widow”. The group formed two color-coordinated teams that fought it out for the duration of the performance, before coming together for a dance number at the close. With a routine full of fight scenes and impressive choreography, HSO brought their A-game.
As soon as Zeta Tau Alpha took the stage, the game changed. Sporting sweatshirts, skirts, pink ribbons, pompoms and ponytails, Zeta put a new spin on the traditional style of stepping. Complete with stunts, classic cheer music, and fun dance choreo, Zeta took out all the stops and wowed the crowd with this year’s “CHEER!” performance.
Phi Gamma Delta, better known as FIGI, thoroughly entertained the crowd with their reenactment of the Star Wars franchise. Complete with Yoda, R2D2, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, and the Star Wars gang battled head to head with Darth Vader and his stormtroopers. This comic interpretation of the much-beloved movies had everyone laughing by the end of their seven-minute piece.
After each team had performed, the judges deliberated, taking into account content, routines, theme, entertainment, and originality. Finally, the results were in and the winners were announced. In the women’s bracket, Phi Mu took second place while Zeta Tau Alpha brought home the prize. For the men’s division, Alpha Tau Omega narrowly trailed behind Alpha Phi Alpha for the first place position. Ultimately, ZTA pulled ahead and won the overall title of Step Show 2015 Winner! SGA President Nick Lang said it best when he said, “ I was very pleased with the overall show this year! The competition and routines get better and better every year. I would like to thank every organization that participated in Step Show this year. Without these hardworking organizations, the show would not have been as great as it was this weekend!” Thank you all for supporting both UNA and United Way. See you at Step Sing!
Photographs attributable to Jackson Townsend Photography
