Director's Chair
Stomp the Yard
Issue date: 1/29/07 Section: Arts & Culture
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B+
Black college fraternities and sororities have been stepping since the middle of the 20th century. Since its beginning, members of the National Pan-Hellenic council have popularized this take on various African dances through competing in local and national competitions.
Director Sylvian White, along with Meagan Goode and newcomers Columbus Short, Brian White as well as R&B crooners Ne-Yo and Chris Brown had audiences very pleased during its opening weekend, grossing $22 million.
D.J. Williams (Short) is a 19-year-old battle dancer from California, and after the untimely death of his younger brother Duron (Brown), he is sent to Atlanta to attend a fictional historical black college, Truth University. Shot on the campuses of Morris Brown, Clark-Atlanta and Morehouse, it is at Truth where D.J. undergoes a transformation.
"D.J. Williams, is a kid from the streets of Los Angeles who knows nothing about the college world," says producer Will Packer on Stomp the Yard's official website. "He begins to transform through his involvement in a fraternity."
Fictional feuding fraternities Theta Nu Theta and Mu Gamma Zi take heave to the new kid on campus after seeing him at a "Rep Your City" party. However, tension begins to spiral as D.J. falls for April (Goode), who is the girlfriend of Mu Gamma Zi's prodigy Grant (Darren Henson). As a result, D.J. pledges Theta Nu Theta and also wins April over.
Mu Gamma Zi, the seven-year running step champion, fears that this year may be the end of their reign. However, they use any means necessary to stay afloat and win the competition.
D.J. is then faced with several difficult decisions that could jeopardize his fraternity from winning the competition and him losing the chance to get an education. In due time the truth comes to light and everything works out the way it is intended.
Bottom Line: Although Stomp the Yard is about stepping, it is also about the bonds that last a lifetime between black men and women at Historical Black Colleges and Universities.
Tiffani McDaniel•
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