Student organizations all over campus are getting ready for the annual Step Show competition Nov. 1, hosted by the University Program Council.

Students attending Step Show can expect to see changes in structure and presentation. There will be no predetermined theme for the show, as well as a cap on the number of participants allowed to be on each team. This year, groups will also be allowed to use props during their performance. Instead of the usual seven-minute time limit, groups will be permitted up to 10 minutes of performance time.

Jori Chatman, chairwoman for Step Show, is looking forward to the new modifications.

“I really enjoy the changes this year,” she said. “It’s going to be awesome to see something different come to UNA that we haven’t tried before.”

Cheryl Mathis, coordinator of programming, said the biggest change students will notice is the lack of theme.

“This year, there’s no overarching theme for the show,” she said. “Each group participating has created their own unique story to tell. We really wanted to challenge the groups to be super creative and see how far they could take and develop their own ideas.”

Teams will only be allowed to have a maximum of 20 students. Mathis said this policy allows each group a fair chance to showcase its talent, as well as increase the overall competition. A limit on team size also provides Step Show with more consistency and uniformity, she said.

Participants are also facing the new idea of, for the first time, being able to incorporate props into their routines.

“I’ve been to other step shows where props were used,” Chatman said. “I think the students will find it really cool.”

In the wake of incidents in years past, Mathis and other Step Show coordinators are working hard to prevent future issues with the judging and scoring of Step Show. Mathis said every measure is being taken to ensure that no judge selected is in any way connected with the university. Judges with some level of expertise in stepping are also being sought out this year.

“With the combined ticket sales of both Step Show and Step Sing, we help to fund around two percent of the operating budget at United Way of the Shoals,” Mathis said. “It’s important that students support this cause.”

In addition to charity, Chatman said students can enjoy Step Show for other reasons.

“Even if this event is not held during Homecoming, students can still come out and enjoy it,” Chatman said. “It’s something fun to do, which is what students are always looking for.”

Step Show will be held in Flowers Hall Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased online at www.una.edu/boxoffice.