Once a year, on an autumn evening, girls of all classes can be found racing across campus for the opportunity to participate in Step Sing Performances. Indie Ladies and Ignite both have a long-held tradition of running for signups.
For this tradition, the Step Sing groups release a date and time for the run, but do not disclose the destination until the announced time is reached. When the location is announced, the girls sprint to the destination in the hope of being one of the first in the sign-up line, before available positions run out.
This year, Indie Ladies held their sign-ups on Oct. 19 at 8:30 p.m. in Dwight M. Beeson Hall. Ignite held theirs not long after, on Oct. 21 at 9 p.m. in Ingalls Hall.
Kathryn Lancaster, a junior and Indie Ladies Leadership Committee member, stated that racing for Step Sing sign-ups is “the best way to start.”
“It’s exciting and a little crazy, which is just a taste of what Step Sing actually is. I love being able to meet the girls who become a part of the Indie Ladies community,” she said.
Lancaster said that the race is a high-energy and equal way to hold sign-ups, and that the shared experience of the race allows the girls the opportunity to make connections and bond with those they will be performing with in January.
Lancaster stated that personally, Indie Ladies allowed her to build a committee with girls she otherwise would not have known. She has been involved in Indie Ladies since her freshman year and said that it “was the best decision [she] could have made.” Lancaster stated that seeing the new members of Indie Ladies experience this for themselves is very special.
Makayla Karimi, a sophomore, raced for the Indie Ladies sign-ups for the first time this year. Karimi said that the adrenaline-filled experience was “special and unique”.
“It is so fun to do with friends and just something cool to experience. I can tell stories one day about how my school had a singing and dancing competition, and I had to run so I could get a spot because of how competitive it is. I think it’s special,” said Karimi.
Kendall Lane, a senior who transferred to Samford last year, said she knew she wanted to participate in Step Sing after watching last year’s dress rehearsals. This year, she raced for the Indie Ladies sign-up.
Initially nervous, Lane said that as soon as the location dropped, all anxiety left her body. “When I got in line, I knew I made it in. I was so relieved and excited,” Lane said, “While the anticipation of the running tradition feels intimidating, it was so much fun, and if I had the opportunity to do it again, I would!”
Elaina Nazerias, the choreography director for Ignite, said that the anticipation for their sign-up race built quickly, with girls going so far as to reach out in excitement and let the directors know they were planning to run.
Nazerias said that many people also attempted to get hints on the sign-up location, but the secret location was kept under lock and key.
“We were very, very set on not telling a soul where the sign up location was because it had been leaked in the past,” said Nazerias, “We just didn’t find it fair for some people to know and …we wouldn’t have a clear conscience if we told someone. We didn’t even tell our committee members.”
Like Lancaster, Nazerias said the night was hectic yet electric. “The spirit of the way we sign up is so fun because it’s literally mass chaos — there were herds of people who were running, and people would station themselves all over campus.”
Nazerias said some will even get multiple people to run for them, increasing their odds of being early to the location. She also stated that the number of individuals racing for a spot in Ignite is incredibly encouraging.
“To see that Ignite is a show that people desire is awesome, and the race is an awesome way that they show that,” she said.
Junior McKenna Katauskas has raced to Ignite sign-ups for three years in a row, and this year she was able to receive a spot. Katauskus said that after sprinting to the sign-ups this year, she was very excited to get in. She stated that the heart-pumping tradition is a “fun way to get everyone excited about Step Sing and drive people’s interest in Ignite.”
Sarah Grace White, a sophomore, also ran for Ignite this year. White stated that last year she was disappointed to find all sign-up spots full when she finished the race, but this year she was excited and relieved when she was able to secure a spot in their show.
“I definitely was a little nervous beforehand, but it felt worth it afterwards,” said White. White also said that the race proves that you “care about your spot in the show and that you worked a little to earn it.”
These annual Step Sing sign-up races have become a defining tradition of Indie Ladies and Ignite, as they build anticipation and energy for the upcoming Step-season. These adrenaline-fueled races reflect the community, commitment, and spirit cultivated in Step Sing and the groups that perform in it.
Staff Reporter
