2008 Woodie Awards
Emerson hosts week of events to fight AIDS
Sarah Wides
Issue date: 11/17/05 Section: Arts and Entertainment
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The Musical Theatre Society presented the fifth annual "Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Week" Nov. 6 through 12, and although the exact total of the donations is not yet known, more than $2,000 was raised.
All the proceeds go to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA), an industry-based, non-profit AIDS fundraising organization.
"It was quite a bit of work, but the turnout was more than we could have hoped for," said Kelly Shea, a senior theatre studies major and EFA board member.
The week kicked off with an opening ceremonies gala on Nov. 6 at the Hyatt Regency Boston. There was record attendance for the semi-formal ball, when 165 people showed up for a night of dinner and music.
Senior theatre studies and marketing communications double major Jennifer May was the keynote speaker and talked about her uncle's battle with the illness while keeping a positive outlook.
"EFA Week is … not about mourning, but about celebrating," she said in her speech. "Celebrating life and the fact that so many people come together for the common cause of the fight against AIDS."
Aaron Benham, a senior musical theatre major, organized a concert with a "Re-interpretations" theme for the gala. The show featured a cast of 14 Emerson students belting out their own versions of popular songs from various movies and musicals.
"We had a tiny white girl singing [The Full Monty's] 'Big Black Man,'" Benham said. "It was fun. This is one of my favorite weeks of the year. It's a great way for me to help out my community through my school. The fact that EFA Week exists is so inspiring."
Other events throughout the week included an AIDS Education Night, which also boasted its largest turnout ever with at least 30 attendees, a movie screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a night presenting many of Emerson's comedy troupes, an open mic performance and a "Club EFA" dance party in the Cabaret, where students were encouraged to come rock out for a good cause.
All the proceeds go to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA), an industry-based, non-profit AIDS fundraising organization.
"It was quite a bit of work, but the turnout was more than we could have hoped for," said Kelly Shea, a senior theatre studies major and EFA board member.
The week kicked off with an opening ceremonies gala on Nov. 6 at the Hyatt Regency Boston. There was record attendance for the semi-formal ball, when 165 people showed up for a night of dinner and music.
Senior theatre studies and marketing communications double major Jennifer May was the keynote speaker and talked about her uncle's battle with the illness while keeping a positive outlook.
"EFA Week is … not about mourning, but about celebrating," she said in her speech. "Celebrating life and the fact that so many people come together for the common cause of the fight against AIDS."
Aaron Benham, a senior musical theatre major, organized a concert with a "Re-interpretations" theme for the gala. The show featured a cast of 14 Emerson students belting out their own versions of popular songs from various movies and musicals.
"We had a tiny white girl singing [The Full Monty's] 'Big Black Man,'" Benham said. "It was fun. This is one of my favorite weeks of the year. It's a great way for me to help out my community through my school. The fact that EFA Week exists is so inspiring."
Other events throughout the week included an AIDS Education Night, which also boasted its largest turnout ever with at least 30 attendees, a movie screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a night presenting many of Emerson's comedy troupes, an open mic performance and a "Club EFA" dance party in the Cabaret, where students were encouraged to come rock out for a good cause.
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