The syncopated stomps and rhythmic chants of the annual National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Step Show echoed through Schwab Auditorium Saturday night as part of Greek Week 2005.
The competitive step show named Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. as winners of the competition. Participants entertained about 300 people and were evaluated by a panel of judges on a number of criteria including precision, creativity and out-of-the-box stepping.
The show was also open to competitors from other universities' chapters of NPHC and sororities as well as alumni.
Audience member Michael LaPrince (senior-accounting) said stomping has been adopted by black fraternities and sororities to commemorate what originated as a form of communication among African tribes.
"Stepping is deeply rooted within the African community and has transcended through generations as a constant and a tradition," LaPrince said. "Each fraternity and sorority keeps a set of steps and calls and passes them down. It's a new millennium and tonight, some of the same steps and calls were used from when many of the fraternities and sororities originated in the early 1900s."
Phi Beta Sigma's three performers from the University of Pittsburgh chapter elicited laughter from the audience by combining precise stepping and parodies of other NPHC fraternities.
Keith Ptomey, one of the members from Pitt's Phi Beta Sigma chapter, said humor plays an important role in step shows.
"You've got to get the crowd into it," he said. "If the crowd doesn't feel you, nobody will. Some fraternities get offended, but for the most part, it's all fun and games."
Comedy, which was also incorporated into Delta Sigma Theta's performance, helped members secure first place by dressing like police officers.
"We were arresting different sororities for committing crimes," Frostburg State University graduate and Delta Sigma Theta member Angela Perry said.
Third place winner Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. featured four women wearing jackets that read "pink ladies" stepping in high stilettos, while second place winner Zeta Phi Beta sorority's performance resembled secret agents training for a mission.
Third place winner Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. incorporated smooth R&B into their routine. After a video introduction, second place Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. members strolled onto the stage in white tuxedos and red bow ties that matched their signature red and white striped canes.
Albert Meeks (senior-telecommunications), who is a member of the long-standing champion team Kappa Alpha Psi, said he was a little disappointed with second place, but he and fellow fraternity members did the best they could.
"We started practicing later than we wanted -- two months before show time," he said. "We practiced every day for a couple of hours though."
Demarius McRae, a 1999 Penn State graduate and member of Kappa Alpha Psi, said he attended the show to support the program and make sure the new generation of performers was keeping up the tradition.
"Step shows have definitely grown since my era -- there are more creative outside influences that help to culture the shows," he said. "The fact is that they are building on things of the past."
