Student-Generated Contributions to BC/EFA Approach One Million Dollars

Never underestimate the passion and commitment of young people who believe in a cause.

That is certainly the case when it comes to members of the Educational Theatre Association's (EdTA) student honorary division, the International Thespian Society (ITS). As of this spring, ITS members have collected more than $800,000 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA), the non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS.

ITS members have been involved in fundraising on behalf of BC/EFA since 1999, when Thespian troupe 5464 at North Penn High School in Lansdale, Pennsylvania organized a fundraiser to benefit the organization

"Teachers encourage Thespians to understand that theatre is about community, so these students really respond to a call to action for Broadway Cares," says Joe Norton, BC/EFA's director of education and outreach. "Thespians know how to effect change by working together and celebrating their love of theatre. And, in the process, they become leaders who raise awareness about HIV/AIDS where they live, while making a difference for so many people in need in their local communities and around the country. Thespians are creative, fearless, and extraordinarily generous."

"In addition to their dedication and commitment in the classroom and the theatre, Thespians have tremendous passion when it comes to charitable causes," says EdTA Executive Director Michael J. Peitz. "The total raised is amazing. We are proud of ITS members who choose to engage in fundraising initiatives to support people and programs in need, such as BC/EFA. This desire to help shows an acknowledgement of the importance of giving back and provides lessons that will serve students well throughout their lives."

About the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Educational Outreach Program

The Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) Educational Outreach Program empowers students of all ages to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in their own communities by raising funds for BC/EFA through campaigns in their high school, middle school, and college theatre programs. Since 1999, ITS-affiliated schools from across the country have modeled their own efforts on how the Broadway community raises awareness and funds for BC/EFA each year.

About the Educational Theatre Association

The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), as the pre-eminent professional association for theatre arts education, shapes lives by sharing ideas and supporting efforts to have theatre arts education (including film, television, and other related media) recognized in all phases of education and lifelong learning. Our members are a network of theatre arts educators, students, professionals, and enthusiasts. EdTA operates the International Thespian Society (ITS), an honorary organization for middle school and high school theatre students. The organization also publishes Dramatics, a monthly magazine for high school theatre students, and Teaching Theatre, a quarterly journal for theatre education professionals.

About the International Thespian Society
The International Thespian Society (ITS) is an honorary organization for high school and middle school theatre students located at more than 3,900 affiliated secondary schools across America, Canada, and abroad. The mission of ITS is to honor student achievement in the theatre arts. High school inductees are known as "Thespians" and junior high/middle school inductees are known as "Junior Thespians." ITS is a division of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).

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