STEP AFRIKA Stepping Company Comes To Allen Theater 3/6

STEP AFRIKA! is the first professional company in the world dedicated to stepping, an art form as rich as its African roots. This highly interactive performance highlights the rhythm, physicality and history of stepping while introducing the concepts of teamwork, discipline and commitment.

Stepping is a unique dance tradition created by African American college students. The tradition grew out of the song and dance rituals practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities in the early 1900s. Like tap dance without shoes, or a band without instruments, stepping is percussive dance that uses kicks, stomps, claps and chants - all linked to African and modern dance traditions. As the first professional company devoted to stepping, Washington DC's world-renowned STEP AFRIKA! brings high-energy performance to the stage - a feast for both the eyes and the ears.

STEP AFRIKA! was founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, a native of Houston, Texas and graduate of Howard University. Brian learned how to step as a member of the fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha in 1989. After living in Africa, he began to research stepping, exploring the many sides of this exiting, yet under-recognized, American art form.

Since its inception, the company has maintained a roster of artists, including artistic director Jakari Sherman, who have experience with groups of all ages and cultures.

STEP AFRIKA! is critically praised for its efforts to promote an understanding and appreciation for stepping. The company has been featured on CNN, BET, PBS and NPR, has toured to thousands of Americans each year and has also performed on stages all over the world including Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. More information about STEP AFRIKA! is available at www.stepafrika.org.

STEP AFRIKA! will perform March 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare. Ticket prices range from $10 to $20 and are on sale now at the PlayhouseSquare Ticket office (1519 Euclid Avenue), by calling 216-241-6000 or online at playhousesquare.org.

In addition, the Family Passport, perfect for families with children or grandchildren of varying ages, includes six vouchers redeemable for tickets to any of the shows in the series. More information about the Family Passport is available by calling 216-830-7221

Group discounts for 10 or more are available by calling 216-664-6044.

The Discovery Theater Series for Families is made possible in part by a grant from the Ohio Arts Council. Additional funding for special literacy activities and for the series in general is provided by the Children's Theatre Endowment established by the Junior League of Cleveland and the Laub Foundation.