Many Steps

The origin and evolution of African American collegiate stepping is explored in this energetic and informative documentary. Stepping is a popular communal art form in which teams of young dancers compete, using improvisation, call and response, complex meters, propulsive rhythms and a percussive attack.

Stepping dates back to the early 20th century, when Black veterans of World War I enrolled in colleges. Inspired by their military training, they brought to their dances a highly rigorous, drill-like component and combined it with elements from other Black dances, just as today's steppers often add hip-hop movements. Spike Lee's 1988 film, School Daze, brought stepping to a wider audience.

Scholarly commentary from a wide range of disciplines points to a high degree of cultural retention in the dances. This commentary, interwoven with lively and exciting stepping performance footage, provides a historical and cultural context for this creative and affirming phenomenon sweeping college campuses.