A contestant from “The Voice,” a dancer and choreographer who just completed a tour with Jesse McCartney, and an actor cast as the lead Spiderman in the Marvel Universe Live Tour show all have one thing in common: are all alums of the “Shades of Black Show.”

“Shades of Black Show” is a cultural showcase that includes performances of dance, song, poetry, and comedy with this year’s theme of duality.

Friday at 7 p.m. will be the first time WSU hosts the show, despite being a part of the show since 2004 when it was created and debuted at the University of Idaho.

Kwapi Vengesayi, the creator and executive producer of the “Shades of Black Show” since 2003, said he likes to think of the Shades as much more than just a cultural show.

Shades, the unofficial name of the show, is about expressing who performers are and how they see themselves in the society that surrounds them. Whether that is through the context of culture, gender, sexuality, faith, or passions. The show is about finding a way to express that in a captivating and entertaining way, Vengesayi said.

More than 10 other campuses around the Northwest are involved in this show, including University of Idaho and Eastern Washington University, as well as additional universities from Oregon and Idaho.

Abbey Homan, senior musical theatre major at EWU, performs in Shades with the EWU dance group Kode Red. Kode Red is in its 10th “Shades of Black Show” and has performed in the show since its inception.

“We love to participate in “Shades of Black” and meet the other performers,” Homan said. “We have made a “Shades of Black” family.”

Adding to the Shades family for the first time is WSU freshman communication major Bethany Waddleton. Waddleton, a singer/songwriter and guitarist, will perform a cover as well as an original song.

She said her original song is about the ups and downs in a relationship, which she ties into this year’s theme. Shades is a place where different races can come together, Waddleton said, and being half-black, Shades is a way to get in touch with that part of her.

“I come from a city where there isn’t many people of color,” Waddleton said. “It’s just a way for everyone to come together.”

Addam Chavarria, a local Idaho performer, will perform for his second time in Shades. He said having this opportunity to express his life and eclectic influences through music is a way that he ties the culture and theme together.

Wendy Ellison, senior zoology major, and Marissa Mararac, junior communication major, will perform with Detour Dance Company (DDC), a student-run dance group from WSU.

The show will be DDC’s second performance, and the members are very excited, Mararac said. She said it has always been a goal for them to be able to perform in “Shades of Black Show.” It is a professional setting where the group members can grow as dancers and as a company, she said.

“(Last year) was the first time to trust people on stage, and I found my passion through it,” Ellison said.

For the acts, Shades is a show many look forward to and are excited to be a part of.

“It is the most fun I have had in a show ever,” Homan said. “I have just loved the professionalism that this production staff keeps up every year.”

“Shades of Black Show” will take place 7 p.m. Friday in the CUB Senior Ballroom. The show is free to attend.