TOWAMENCIN – On Friday February 21st, art enthusiasts flocked to North Penn High School for the fifteenth annual Knight of the Arts Gala supporting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. From AP Art students in the concourse to coffee house showings in the lobby and various performances in the auditorium, the night provided a showcase of all the art programs that North Penn has to offer.
Thespians and BC/EFA coordinators Taryn Murphy and Nicole Mitchell were responsible for planning Friday night’s gala.
“Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is a large organization that brings the theatre community together to raise money to help support the fight against AIDS. We have fundraisers and Joe Norton who is our producer and guest of honor tonight is in charge of the high school chapter and we work with him every year to create our gala, plan an AIDS walk, and do an auction at the Pennsylvania State Thespian Conference,” explained Murphy.
Performances throughout the night included some from The NPHS Ambassadors, District Chorus singers, Thespians, Indian Cultural Association, and Korean Club. Additionally, Pennfield, Penndale, and Pennbrook Middle Schools were invited to showcase part of their spring musicals.
Not only did the gala feature students but staff as well. The audience was treated to the 2nd Annual Teacher Dance that had Mr. Baker, Mr. Calamia, Mrs. Coyle, Mr. Fluck and Mrs. Kavalow-Huie dancing to “We Go Together” from Grease. Also Mrs. Rooney and Mr. Klenk were featured singing their own pieces as surprise performances.
Because this was the fifteenth anniversary of this event, Murphy and Mitchell wanted to make it extra special this year.
“Well this was our fifteenth anniversary so we tried to make it bigger and extra special this year. We branched out recently; so many people other than just thespians are involved. We have the B-Boys from Korean club, we have Indian Cultural Association involved, and we have Tae Kwon Do special performances. It’s a way to unite the arts at North Penn and it’s a really good way to keep inspiration going,” continued Murphy.
The night ended with a special preview of the high school’s spring musical Disney’s Beauty and the Beast leaving many waiting in anticipation for the musical opening later in May.
All in all, the gala was a successful night not just for the Thespians but for supporting the fight against AIDS.
“We raised $2,000 tonight and had a very big turnout…it was a very successful night – there was a lot of support for us. With the $2,000 that makes $3,500 for this school year that North Penn donates directly to BC/EFA, which is great,” concluded Murphy.