Sanctify Hip Hop Company and Shades Step Squad each added new members as they prepare for their upcoming performances. Both groups held auditions last week, which resulted in six new members for Sanctify and four new members for Shades.

Shades and Sanctify are both on campus groups in the Office of Multicultural Enrichment. Shades performs step dancing and Sanctify performs hip-hop dancing to promote cultural diversity.

“Both groups are excited and are doing great work, so we really want to get as many people as we can to come out and support them,” said Byron Martin, director of multicultural enrichment.

After last week’s audition Sanctify has added six new members. The new members are Tavia Richard, Noa Dowl, Sarah Dominick, Hannah Knight, Lizzie Elston and Bekah Smith.

“We plan on doing more flash mobs and various performances around campus since we have received so much positive feedback from our last flash mob on Jan. 22. So keep an eye out for us,” said Jacob “KP” Kilpatrick, Sanctify captain and junior AD/PR major from Mesquite.

Shades also hosted auditions last week and have added four new members. The members’ names are Cierra Fitzgerald, Samantha Martinez, Delilah Shearod and Kren Fernandes.

Both groups have performances coming up in the next few weeks.

Sanctify is gearing up for their spring show. The theme and venue have not yet been decided but the show will be April 5, 6 and 7 on campus. Tickets will be $5 presale and $6 at the door both nights. SHADES will be performing in a talent show at the Abilene Civic Center tonight at 7 p.m.

Both groups were part of the first annual Cultural Crossover event hosted by the Office of Multicultural Enrichment on Feb. 9. They performed during the halftime of the men’s and women’s basketball games.