The Troupes of WSSU: Part 1

The 3 troupes of WSSU at the Wal-Mart Fashion Show Competition
September 30th, 2008

Winston-Salem State University (WSSU from here on out) is a liberal arts college and historically black college (HBCU) located in Winston-Salem, NC.  It is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. Winston-Salem State has been ranked #27 by U.S. News & World Report in the Top Public Comprehensive Baccalaureate Colleges of the South for the last nine years (2001–2009) category. WSSU is a recognized regional institution offering baccalaureate and graduate programs to a diverse student population.

The university is home to both Mozik and Epiphany modeling troupes.  At one time, four troupes existed on the campus, including the two previously mentioned, Vice Versa Productions, and the G.A.M.E. (Generation of Amazing Models and Entertainers).  The latter organizations merged under Vice Versa’s name and leadership, only to dissolve in the spring semester of 2009.

Introduction/Background:

Mozik Modeling Troupe 

Members of Mozik pose after their 2009 spring show "2 Scener"

Modeling at WSSU first got its start in 1976 with Mozik Modeling Troupe (M.M.T.) who, to my knowledge, is the oldest known active performance runway modeling organization on the east coast. Legend has it Harriet Tubman was a charter member the troupe’s founders were New York and New Jersey, natives who brought the fashion sense of the northeast to WSSU’s campus.  Unfortunately, the names of these charter members, as with the date of the organization’s founding, have been lost to time (dun-dun-dun). Lol. Mozik's classic style is straight runway, with eye catching nudity fashions, however, post-2006, the organization incorporates some group routines into their shows to not be so archaic.  

Epiphany Modeling Troupe

Epiphany poses on stage after winning the 2008 Wal-Mart Fashion Show Competition

Epiphany Modeling Troupe (E.M.T.) was founded on November 11th, 2001.  The organization's founders are Jimalle Stephenson, Isaac West, and Tanya Craft.  It was created for skinny dudes, big girls, gays, C.O.G.I.C. members, and non brown paper bag colored people as a more liberal and open alternative modeling troupe, with noted differences from its predecessor in membership criteria and performance style.  Epiphany is known for its incorporation of sexiness and festivity various dancing and burlesque elements into performances. 

Vice Versa Productions

Vice Versa members pose on WSSU's campus
(circa 2006-2007 academic year)

Vice Versa Productions was founded in the fall semester of 2005 by Kenny Farris and DeMeka Mack.  The organization was the first on the campus to be 95% dark chocolate include not only a performance modeling component, but a step team, and a vocal group.  The goal of the organization, according to Farris, was to be an all around entertainment organization that could rely on its members to put on a full entertainment spectacle and reach the needs of a wider variety of students, in contrast to the two older troupes on campus.  The organization was known for traveling across bama-ass North Carolina, participating in competitions and as intermission for various spectacles.  It was disbanded by the university in the spring semester of 2009.


The G.A.M.E. was founded some time after Vice Versa by student Benny Gray in 2005.  Like Vice Versa, the organization was a composite of different entertainment genres.  The organization had two or three shows on campus in its life before merging with Vice Versa in 2008.  Unfortunately, Vice Versa and the G.A.M.E. were seen as the two below the barrel troupes on WSSU's campus and went through much shade ridicule and social stigma.  External factors and internal issues led to their dissolutions not even 4 years after their founding. 


Performance Style:
As a collective, WSSU's modeling troupes are traditional, but still sexier than yo mama very similar to the Ebony Fashion Fair aesthetic in terms of runway techniques; most notably the use of footwork and turns while showcasing fashion and elaborate posing (for dramatic effect). Fashion is also highly emphasized in shows, usually being hand made or highly altered retail items.  WSSU's troupes were known at one point for their scantly clad bikini and evening wear ensembles.  Complaints from administration and people's mamas has forced the troupes to "cover-up" over the years.  


SN: From personal experience, 2006-2008 was a hot ready-to-wear mess horrid year in terms of creative fashion wear for ALL of the troupes on WSSU's campus, and most of those in North Carolina. That's a different post!

Here's a clip of compiled of Mozik & Epiphany shows from 2002-2005. The emphasis on turns is what makes the WSSU aesthetic well known throughout North Carolina: