Precision vs OutKast

With beautifully choreographed and cleanly executed dance sequences, Exeter’s rival step groups—Precision, the female step group, and Outkast, the male step group—bring energy and enthusiasm to every performance.

Both clubs hold annual tryouts for Exonians interested in joining the group. Upper and co-head of Precision Annabel Lee recalled her experience trying out in her lower year. “I remember showing up [and] being a little nervous because I had never stepped before, but I found myself having a lot of fun,” she said.

Though previous step experience is not required, the co-heads want to see each member’s dedication and ability to learn the moves. Lee mentioned how the co-heads during her prep year were extremely patient with the club members. “They [would] go through steps and teach it to us, let you practice and run the steps through with you a lot of times, and then [they would] split you up into smaller groups to see how you step,” she said. “They were super patient with us and made sure to answer questions so that nobody was feeling lost or panicked.”

Senior Lulu Ezekwenna, a co-head of Precision, said that the club tries to find new members that have both a good sense of rhythm and enthusiasm for learning the steps. “We’re looking for how well people pick things up … and the effort they give,” she said. “For the time I have been cohead, there were people who weren’t the best at the beginning, but you could tell they were really dedicated to it and cared about learning.”

Lee felt similarly and attributed the large number of club members to the supportive environment around Precision. “The co-heads and the other members of the group are always really willing to help you if you're not sure what a step is, or to run the steps again,” she said. “They definitely make sure that we have the steps down by the time we perform them.”

For Lee, her favorite part of Precision is the camaraderie of the steppers. “Preparation for performances isn't a stressful thing just because all the other members of Precision are your friends,” she said. “I've grown to really, really love stepping … but the energy and the people that I'm getting to step with is the best part about Precision.”

Ezekwenna expressed how grateful she is to have a team that she can depend on no matter the situation. “Ever since I came into Precision as a new lower, I’ve understood the importance of teamwork a lot more,” she said. When asked about her experience since becoming a co-head, she believes her responsibilities have not changed her view on the club. “I can [still] ask my other co-heads or other people on the team to help me out when I’m confused. I can ask for help. That’s a big thing I’ve learned in this team.”

Another large part of stepping is coming up with the choreography. Ezekwenna mentioned how it can take anywhere from a few minutes to hours to arrange a dance that is both new and fun. “Sometimes our vision is super clear—we see what we want our performance to look like, and bam! It’s done, two seconds, good,” she said. “But then other times, we’re struggling to come up with something new, or we come up with something and realize that we don’t like it or it’s too repetitive.”

Lee also mentioned that choreographing steps is different from the routines of other dance groups because steppers need to be able to make sounds with their bodies at all times. “Choreographing steps is interesting because it's not like dancing where there's like a million different ways to move. With stepping, you need to be making sounds with every move you do. So it's just as much sound-based as it is based on what you look like,” she said. “A lot of it is thinking of creative ways to make sounds while still looking cool.”

However, Kaleb Washington, co-head of OutKast, the male step group, believes it’s much more straightforward. “You kind of just do it. You start with a beat, and then afterwards we try to create that beat using our body in a creative way, one that other people haven’t thought of. That’s it,” he said.

OutKast does not require auditioning club members to have experience before they join the club. Lower and interim co-head Senai Robinson said that most auditions are not flawless. “Some people think that to be a part of a step team like OutKast or Precision, you need to have everything perfect. During my tryout, I made several mistakes. That's normal if you've never done it before!” he said. “But if you try, and put in the work, that’s what the co-heads are looking for.”

Robinson said that he was very intimidated at first, but he soon realized there was no reason to be. “I can't imagine myself being part of a better group. At first, your perception is very distorted because you're new … there can be so many factors that intimidate you. But after you try out and you’re part of the team, you realize that no matter your skill, no matter what you look like, no matter your capabilities, we all treat each other with fairness, like family.”

Prep Akili Tulloch mentioned that the bonds between the members of OutKast is what really made it fun. “My favorite part about OutKast is the little pockets of time when we're not rehearsing; when we’re just fooling around. That’s what builds the relationship between each other.”

As for their infamous rivalry, neither Precision nor OutKast seems to know when or how it began. “I don’t know what the rivalry stems from. I just know there is one and that it’s been upheld,” Washington said.

“Each member of the group takes pride in their stepping,” Robinson added. “We do compete like any other teams because, you know, we're just trying to prove which one is better,” he said. “In my opinion, because we are the only step teams on campus, we ourselves have a pride.”

Ezekwenna compared the relationship of OutKast and Precision to a sibling relationship. “We love each other, but we also hate each other at the same time. It’s like a sibling rivalry,” she said.

Though the two groups have this rivalry, Ezekwenna acknowledged the talent of the OutKast members. “I think OutKast is very talented. I do think we [Precision] are better because we don’t reuse steps,” she joked. “I think that OutKast has very powerful movements and are sometimes stronger than us in sound, but I think in terms of actual movement and ‘precision’ of stepping we’re a lot better. In all seriousness, though, they’re a really good team.”

Robinson also compared it to a family relationship. “Precision and OutKast are like the second cousins,” he said. “Whenever we come together and hang out, it's always like a big family reunion. We combine our efforts and we perform together, the first time being about five years ago.”

Ezekwenna believed the performances with both OutKast and Precision were some of the most fun performances she has done through her time at Exeter. “I love performing with them. I think when we’re all together on the stage the energy is pretty unmatchable, and those are probably my favorite performances that I’ve ever had during my time here––when Precision and OutKast perform together. “

Finally, Ezekwenna encouraged other students to join both Precision and OutKast. “Everyone always says ‘I can’t join Precision because I’m not good, and I don’t have rhythm,’” she said. “But those are things you can learn, and there are people there who are willing to teach you. Even if you think you can’t do it, you definitely can!”