New York (March 2, 2023) – On March 13th, Xplosive Stepperz of Brentwood HS, one of the region’s best high school step teams, began its quest for the 2023 National High School Performing Arts (NHSPA)™ “Steptime at the Apollo” Step Championship. In a “March-Madness” type bracketed tournament, the competition’s first round matches will occur virtually, with the final four teams scheduled to compete at Harlem’s World-Famous Apollo Theater in April. 

The Xplosive Stepperz from Brentwood, Long Island, N.Y., founded in October 2021, are still gaining experience, but explode every time they hit the stage. Tick… Tick… BOOM! 

The competition began with eight seeded teams paired off in head-to-head matches, with online fan voting battles to determine the top four teams. The second seeded Xplosive Stepperz of Brentwood HS faces off against seventh seeded Springfield Central HS Step Team from Springfield, Mo, which in addition to performing has become the catalyst for a middle school team and is spreading the word of step throughout the region. The victor will advance to the NHSPA National Step Championship final four at the “StepTime at the Apollo” event on April 22nd. 

Co-produced by NHSPA and the World of Step (WOS), the championship will feature action-packed “Mano a Mano” excitement, empowering steppers with the opportunity to compete like athletes for $3,000 in cash prizes, a National Championship, NHSPA Step All-American recognition and school pride. 

“The NHSPA Step Championship is an important event for showcasing the talents of young performers on a national stage,” said Victoria Duruh, Chief Talent Officer of UEG. “Fostering this new talent is significant to UpStaged, as we are dedicated to supporting the growth of the next generation of performing artists – this championship in particular is an incredible platform for celebrating student performers who deserve the same recognition and celebration as athletes.” 

WOS is the Nation’s preeminent youth step producer, platform, and educator. NHSPA and WOS are working together to create a truly exceptional championship weekend event to highlight the talents of these incredible performers. 

“These talented high school steppers have an unbelievable opportunity to compete for a National Championship at the Nation’s most storied historically black theater in the most world renowned black cultural Mecca, Harlem,” said WOS Founder and CEO Jessica Remo. “This is the Superbowl of Step, being played out in the Madison Square Garden of Performing Arts Venues.” 

Bracket voting opened on March 13th and closes on Friday. To vote, click here.  

About UpStaged Entertainment Group (UEG) 

Based in NYC, UpStaged Entertainment Group (“Upstaged”) is the parent company of the National High School Performing Arts (NHSPA)™ and the National Collegiate Performing Arts (NCPA)™, dedicated to  

improving the competition structure and opportunities for millions of high school and collegiate performing arts students across a wide range of genres. UEG is helping to bring cohesiveness to historically siloed performing arts communities. 

Click here to learn more about UEG and the history of step.   

About National High School Performing Arts (NHSPA)™ 

The mission of the National High School Performing Arts (NHSPA)™ is to empower high school students to passionately celebrate the joy of competition. Proud innovators in “March-Madness” meets “Pitch Perfect” style competitions, the NHSPA is transforming the fragmented student performing arts market into a cohesive, content-rich community.  

By empowering the nation’s student performers to compete for national championships like athletes, NHSPA provides an exciting and rewarding experience for these students, while also elevating the profile of performing arts nationally. 

About World of Step (WOS) 

WOS is the Nation’s preeminent youth step producer, platform, and educator. Its competitions, classes and platform empower thousands of steppers worldwide. WOS founder, renowned Step Choreographer and Educator Jessica “aka Remo” Saul, has been featured on MTV, ABC’s Good Morning America, and Telemundo’s Univision, among others. WOS recently expanded internationally to South America and Africa.