Broad Green Pictures has announced that Drumline helmer Charles Stone will direct Ain’t No Half Steppin, an upbeat comedy spec from screenwriter Chuck Hayward, who currently writes for “Cooper Barrett’s Guide to Surviving Life” on FOX, and was previously on “One Big Happy” and “Bent” for NBC. Matt Alvarez (Straight Outta Compton, Ride Along), Lena Waithe (“Master of None” series regular, Dear White People, Showtime’s “The Chicago Project”) and Benjamin Cory Jones (Hand of God) will produce.
Ain’t No Half Steppin centers on an ambitious black sorority girl who, in order to get admitted to the law school of her dreams, agrees to cross culture lines and teach the exclusive art of black Greek stepping to a band of wild, Kardashian-obsessed white sorority girls whose charter is about to be revoked. The project comes on the heels of Broad Green’s announcement that Matt Alvarez joined the studio’s development and production team in an exclusive production pact.
“Much like he did with ‘Drumline,’ Charles does an incredible job of bringing subcultures into the mainstream and we are excited to see him do the same thing with ‘Ain’t No Half Steppin,’” said Alvarez.
“I just skimmed the surface of black Greek life in ‘Drumline.’ ‘Ain’t No Half Steppin’ gives me a chance to delve deep into the art of competitive stepping,” said Charles Stone. “Chuck and the producing team have put together a brilliant, smart comedy, which audaciously explores the dynamics and identity politics within black and white sororities.”
Josh Reinhold will oversee the project on behalf of Matt Alvarez’ production company, while Lauren McCarthy will oversee the project on behalf of Broad Green Pictures.
The deal was brokered on behalf of Stone, Waithe and Jones by Paradigm. Hayward is represented by APA, Heroes & Villains, and Ginsburg Daniels, LLP. Christopher Tricarico, EVP, Business & Legal Affairs and General Counsel handled for Broad Green.
Waithe is managed by Andrew Coles at Mission Entertainment and Stone is managed by Tom Lassally at 3 Arts. Jones is represented by CAA and managed by Michael Kolodny at Fineman Entertainment.
