Stepping into lively territory

A step-dancing show is nothing if not demanding. Of its performers, it requires a laser-sharp focus and precision, with each movement sequence so fast and furious that even the smallest error can set in motion a domino chain of rhythmic disaster. And the audience members better be ready to work, too, as it's their job to energize the dancers with boisterous cheers and do call-and-response exercises with gusto. At Step Afrika!'s lively performance Thursday at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, both parties held up their end of the bargain.

All the works on the program were well rehearsed, and most, particularly "Ke Nako" and "Shhhhh!," were sleekly structured. The dancers zipped in and out of different lines and formations while slapping, clapping and stomping out intricate rhythms with ease.

Some dances, especially "The Pledge Scene/1989," lost momentum when they incorporated dialogue, which came off as strained and unnatural. And this work's plot was full of head-scratchers: Dancers, who play bumbling fraternity wannabes, suddenly and inexplicably drop the clumsy act to become virtuoso performers. And despite its '80s setting, it incorporates references to Facebook and Twitter.

In "Wade Suite," the central character is a preacher who seems to be using dance as a way to converse with God. Here, Step Afrika! dialed down the sass and swagger to delve into a more spiritual and introspective realm, proving that this usually upbeat, feisty movement style has the potential to tell a broad spectrum of stories. For this piece, the dancers were joined onstage by the High Point High School Concert Choir, which sang with striking maturity and gave a soulful performance that added a critical layer of emotion.

-- Sarah Halzack