Showtime Steppers
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Showtime Steppers |
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The Showtime Steppers is a nationally recognized step team that consists of a group of young men brought together in high school. This group, hailing from Fort Worth, TX, is currently led by Jenerian "El Hadjo" Young and Shane "Shane-O" Wilson. This "brotherhood" has become one of the most established step teams in America, gaining them the title of "America's Favorite Step Team". Since their breakthrough to national television in 2006, the Showtime Steppers have performed for the likes of Kirk Franklin, Barack Obama and family, Ne-Yo, Pretty Ricky, Trey Songz, Nick Cannon, Lil' Fizz, Deitrick Haddon, Fonzworth Bentley[1], and Tonex, just to name a few.
With the goal of making stepping the next big blockbuster form of entertainment, this young group is sweeping across the nation, astonishing a wide variety of audiences, and breaking several barriers in the entertainment industry.
Biography
Brief History
The Showtime Steppers originated in the late 90's at Eastern Hills High School in Fort Worth, TX. They were then known as the high school step team, the "Sigma Beta Steppers". The steppers were under the sponsorship of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.[2] A few years later, the team began to have complications with the sponsorship from Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.. Because the step team was not registered under the national Sigma Beta Club guidelines, they were stripped "indefinitely" from the sponsorship of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Before this occurred, during the 2003-2004 school year, the group went undefeated and won first place in over 20 step shows. This included that year's state championship step show.
The next year, prior to the start of the 2004-2005 school year, the team was then reformed taking on the stage name, Showtime Steppers. In 2005, in hopes of creating a state championship winning streak, the Showtime Steppers came in second place to Bowie High School's "Bowie Souljahs". To this day, tons of controversy has surrounded this final decision. In the fall of 2005, due to the graduation of all of the group's members but one, a new team was then recruited. This continuation eventually led to a minor division of entities. The high school step team continued to perform under a selected sponsor at the high school, and were occasionally supervised and assisted by the alumni (sometimes referred to as "The Brotherhood"). Meanwhile, the alumni also continued to perform, but on a national level. Which, in doing so, led to the national recognition and fame of the Showtime Steppers today.
What is Stepping?
Definition
Stepping or step-dancing is a form of percussive dance in which the participant's entire body is used as an instrument to produce complex rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps, spoken word, and hand claps. Though stepping may be performed by an individual, it is generally performed by groups of three or more, often in arrangements that resemble military formations.
Stepping may also draw from elements of gymnastics, tap dance, march, or African and Caribbean dance, or include semi-dangerous stunts as a part of individual routines. Some forms of stepping include the use of props, such as canes, rhythm sticks and/or fire and blindfolds.
The tradition of African American stepping is rooted within the competitive schoolyard song and dance rituals practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities, beginning in the mid-1900s.
Origin
Stepping finds its origins in a combination of military close-order & exhibition drills, and also African Foot Dances such as the Welly "Gumboot" Dance. Additionally, it originally drew heavily from the stage routines and movements of popular R&B groups such as the Temptations and The Four Tops.[citation needed] During the mid-20th century, traditionally Black fraternities and sororities, on United States college campuses, traditionally sang and chanted to celebrate "crossing over" into membership of their respective organizations. Notwithstanding its collegiate roots, stepping is also performed by schools, churches, and drill teams.
Popularized by the National Pan-Hellenic Council member organizations who perform at local and national competitions, stepping has been featured in the media with its involvement in films such as School Daze (1988), Mac and Me (1988), Drumline (2002), Stomp the Yard (2007), and How She Move (2008). Stepping has also been featured on many TV shows including BET's 106 & Park, NBC's hit show America's Got Talent, A Different World, and Sister, Sister.
Current Members
The roster of the Showtime Steppers consists of, at the most, 15 members. As of January 2008, the current roster of 8 is headed by the president, Jenerian "El Hadjo" Young, and the vice president, Shane "Shane-O" Wilson. The step masters include Marcus "P.B." Petty, Jeromy "J-Skin" Skinner, Derrick "D-Will" Williams, Clifford "Numba G" Benton, Chase "Banks" Wilson, and Camerion "Killa Cam" Carrathus. Each member brings their own dynamic presence to the stage with expert precision, and great excitement that fuels the audience into absolute enjoyment of the performance.
| Current Members | Past Members (2004-2007) | Sigma Beta (1998-2004) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jenerian Young (President) |
Coming Soon |
Coming Soon | ||
| Shane Wilson (Vice President) | ||||
| Marcus Petty | ||||
| Jeromy Skinner | ||||
| Derrick Williams | ||||
| Clifford Benton | ||||
| Chase Wilson | ||||
| Camerion Carrathus | ||||
| Clint Johnson | ||||
| Marcus Walker | ||||
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Notable Awards
- 2004 - 1st Place at State Championship (Texas) [3]
- 2005 - 2nd Place at State Championship (Texas) [4]
- 2008 - 1st Place on BET's 106 & Park: BET's Top 10 Live - (Wild Out Wednesday) [5]
Notable Performances
- 3 Performances on BET's 106 & Park: BET's Top 10 Live
- June 21, 2006 (Wild Out Wednesday)
- January 30, 2008 (Wild Out Wednesday)
- September 10, 2008 (W.O.W. All-Stars)
- BET's Spring Bling '07: Get 2 Steppin' [6]
- BET's Spring Bling 2006: Get to Steppin' [7]
- KTXA Dance Club 21 (formerly UPN's Dance 360) [8]
- Barack Obama Special Presentation
- Tonex Concert
- Deitrick Haddon Concert