The annual Knight of the Arts Gala was held at North Penn High School last Friday night, showcasing many performances from North Penn students and faculty. The North Penn Dance Team was also one of the many acts of the show, and as member and captain of the team, I can truly say being in the show was an excellent experience and a great way to raise money for BCEFA.

For those who aren’t familiar with this show, the Knight of the Arts Gala is an event that has been held at NPHS for the past 16 years by the North Penn High School Thespian Troupe #5464. The Gala benefits Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS, an organization made to help find a cure for AIDS, and began here at North Penn when a student decided to devote his senior project to creating the event.

Interestingly enough, the organization didn’t come together until 1992. Equity Fights AIDS was founded in October 1987 by the Council of Actors’ Equity Association. Money raised through the efforts of Equity theatre companies across the country was specially reserved for The Actors Fund’s AIDS Initiative. Then in February of 1988, Broadway Cares was founded by members of The Producers’ Group. Money raised was set aside to be awarded to AIDS service organizations nationwide, including Equity Fights AIDS. Then finally in May 1992, Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Cares fused to become Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The Board of Trustees of this fundraising organization took on the duties of the previously separate organizations and continues to fund the work of The Actors Fund and to award grants three times a year to AIDS service organizations nationwide.

To get into the lineup of the show, however, each act had to send in a video of their performance or prepare for a live audition. The acts ranged from thespian performances to a preview of NPHS’s Spring Musical, Titanic. From the Dance Team’s sassy dance to Beyonce’s “End of Time” to each middle school performing a preview from their spring musicals, the talent at the Gala was incomparable. There was even a performance from North Penn’s CMT class and Pennridge High School’s preview of their Spring Musical, Les Mis.

By being a part of the special evening, I realized how important it is to support the cause and to raise money to help find a cure for AIDs. Supporting organizations across the country which provide treatment and services for people specifically affected by HIV/AIDS and their families is very important to performers all across the nation. Since AIDS is such a well known virus within the performing arts world, I think that each performer on the stage felt like they were doing their part in order to help out their fellow entertainers in finding a cure for this fatal disease.

The girls on the dance team especially enjoyed the night. Senior Marissa Chirico loved watching all the other students on the stage sharing their favorite monologues or songs with the audience.

“It was a great way to involve the community by bringing our high school together with the middle schools as well as other local schools like Pennridge, while also showcasing the talent as North Penn and raising money for a good cause,” Chirico mentioned.

The night included a silent auction, donations, and concession stands all brining in money for the one cause everyone was there in honor of. The Gala was an outstanding show and proved to be a great night for all involved.