Break The Stage Novel

Break the Stage tells the story of Tia Lewis, a troubled teen at an urban Florida high school, who struggles to win her father's approval and the respect of her step team, only to discover she must confront her own faults before she can lead the team to the Nationals. Tia's journey of self-discovery includes an ensemble cast of multi-racial high school students, each with their own personal issues, who clash with Tia's style and her inability to deal with the death of her mother and her father's unrealistic expectations.

Slavery in America created the legacy for stepping. Denied the freedom to communicate, against the rules of their owners, slaves clapped their hands, stomped their feet, and uttered sounds to preserve their culture. But for Tia, as a black girl and supposedly free today, she couldn't help but wonder if slaves back then didn't want more than just being legally free.

"Being free won't guarantee people will respect you. Being free doesn't mean people will respect your dream of what you want in life... what you want to be. Where does that come from? How do you get anyone to listen?"

About the Aurthor

Erik V Wolter

Erik V. Wolter is an accomplished author, screenwriter, and producer, and the founder of EVW Entertainment. A versatile storyteller, Erik successfully adapted his YA novel Break the Stage for the screen, serving as Executive Producer for its 2024 release via Freestyle Digital Media.

Erik’s portfolio is defined by high-caliber collaborations and a knack for adaptation. His upcoming projects include a unique take on the 19th-century classic Carmilla with director Ivan Zuccon, and the Eugene O’Neill adaptation Fight Pride, a co-production with Daniel Stisen Productions directed by Sheldon Lettich. Beyond his work in genre fiction—such as the sci-fi thriller M.A.N. and the TV pilot The Devil’s Snow—Erik has a deep-rooted commitment to historical and faith-based narratives. This is evidenced by his partnership with Davis Entertainment Studios on Fearless and the pre-production of A Better Way.

A celebrated dramatist, Erik’s screenplay Footsteps of My Father—based on his nonfiction documentation of his father's WWII experience, Loyalty on Trial—earned first place for Best Drama at the FilmHaus Festival and was a Finalist in the Page Awards. From WWII dramas like End of the Line to the expansive "Grace Trilogy," Erik continues to bring complex, multi-layered stories to global audiences.