Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika! is the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping—a polyrhythmic, percussive dance form that uses the body as an instrument. One of the top-10 African American dance companies in the world, Step Afrika! promotes stepping as a contemporary dance genre through critically acclaimed performances and arts education programs, blending percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities, traditional West and Southern African dances, and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience.
Step Afrika! reaches tens of thousands of Americans each year through a 50-city tour of colleges and theaters and performs globally as Washington, DC’s one-and-only cultural ambassador. Step Afrika! has earned Mayor’s Arts awards for Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education (2005), Innovation in the Arts (2008) and Excellence in an Artistic Discipline (2012), and performed at the White House for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
“Their polyrhythmic drill-team routines connect African heritage with hip-hop and bring down the house. They bring the audience into the act, turning us into drumfolk, too—and the whole theater into a drum.”
— The New York Times
“Their polyrhythmic drill-team routines connect African heritage with hip-hop and bring down the house. They bring the audience into the act, turning us into drumfolk, too—and the whole theater into a drum.”
— The New York Times
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Performance Sponsors
Laura Young Palmer
2023-24 Season Sponsors
Walt & Ginger Woltosz
Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University
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