Things (and people) are popping within Dickinson College’s resident hip-hop troupe.

This week the Hypnotic Hip Hop Troupe wrapped up its auditions for new members as it began to practice a new routine for a performance later this semester.

Hypnotic is Dickinson’s only hip hop troupe and performs annually at Apollo Night in addition to halftimes of Dickinson’s major football and basketball games, Relay for Life and during the intermission of the D-tones concert. On Friday May 3, the group will be performing alongside Dickinson’s 3rd Degree step team.

“We usually have little moves that mock the other group’s style. It’s pretty fun,” said Juliet Baker ’14, a member of the troupe.

The group’s particular form dabbles in a mixture of old-school hip-hop and contemporary artists. The diversity of style and vibrant dances offer many moves from which the students can mold an act.

“Though our styles differ, we all speak the same language of dance and take hip hop really seriously,” said Priscilla Colon ’13, Hypnotic’s choreographer. The week before a major performance, the troupe practices two to three hours a day to polish their moves.

“I like the fast, hard-hitting type of dances. The upbeat, fast-paced ones,” said Frank Williams ’15.

While each person works hard to master their own movements of a particular songs’ choreography, members wish to share their technique and artistic expression with other Dickinson students.

“We will be starting ‘Teach Me How To’ classes a few weeks from now,” added Colon. She described the sessions as open classes occurring twice a month where anyone could show up, dance with Hypnotic and learn a few new moves.

Those who are new to hip hop dancing need not worry about lack of experience if they wish to join the troupe. For many of the dancers, Hypnotic’s acts were the first time they had performed onstage.

“Before this, I’ve never been the kind of dude to do choreographed dance. I was a breaker in high school,” Chris Horam ’13 said.

Branching out through hip-hop dance can be scary but rewarding.

“When you challenge yourself, once you master the choreography and get it, you put your own twist on it and it is the best thing there is,” said Nasir Ellis ’15, the vice president of Hypnotic.