Alpha Psi Omega hosts AIDS benefit
Proceeds go to West Alabama AIDS Outreach
Wayne Grayson
Assistant Student Life Editor
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: News
After the house lights had dimmed, Jill Parsons stood inside the only light left in the room.
She thrived in the stage lights, visibly excited about the event as she welcomed guests making their way into the Ferguson Center Theater Tuesday night.
As hostess of Alpha Psi Omega's West Alabama AIDS Outreach Benefit, it was Parson's job to introduce the acts as they came onstage, and let the audience in on some interesting facts concerning AIDS.
However, it wasn't until the first act was over, she remembered something - her script.
Parsons laughed as she waved the script toward the crowd and the show went on, setting the tone for the rest of the night.
Every year, APO hosts the West Alabama Aids Outreach Benefit, in which all money raised goes directly to the WAAO.
Alex Perkins, a sophomore majoring in theater, is a member of APO and the coordinator of the event.
"I've volunteered with [the WAAO] for the past nine years, and when I heard we did a benefit each year, I immediately jumped at the chance to head this one," he said.
Perkins said the money raised will go to fund the West Alabama AIDS Outreach's testing services, as well as their awareness and education services.
Perkins said although the benefit is an annual event for the society, they have not performed a show every year.
This year's show ran more a like a variety show, Perkins said, and featured scenes from certain plays, performances from members of the UA forensics team and a student poetry reading.
Once the lights went down in the theater, the ambiance was more like that of an open mic night at a local coffee shop. The only difference was the acts were predetermined.
To get the word out about the event, Perkins and other members of APO took advantage of the crowds forming around the open-air evangelists on campus by passing out flyers and asking for donations for West Alabama AIDS Outreach.
Perkins said the benefit is very personal to him, as he has had some friends die due to AIDS, and encourages students to come out to the show.
"It's their fellow students performing for a good cause," he said. "I would just encourage everyone to come and support."
Students interested in donating money can stop by APO's table in the Ferguson Center, Perkins said.
Tickets for tonight's show are $5 and are only available at the door.
She thrived in the stage lights, visibly excited about the event as she welcomed guests making their way into the Ferguson Center Theater Tuesday night.
As hostess of Alpha Psi Omega's West Alabama AIDS Outreach Benefit, it was Parson's job to introduce the acts as they came onstage, and let the audience in on some interesting facts concerning AIDS.
However, it wasn't until the first act was over, she remembered something - her script.
Parsons laughed as she waved the script toward the crowd and the show went on, setting the tone for the rest of the night.
Every year, APO hosts the West Alabama Aids Outreach Benefit, in which all money raised goes directly to the WAAO.
Alex Perkins, a sophomore majoring in theater, is a member of APO and the coordinator of the event.
"I've volunteered with [the WAAO] for the past nine years, and when I heard we did a benefit each year, I immediately jumped at the chance to head this one," he said.
Perkins said the money raised will go to fund the West Alabama AIDS Outreach's testing services, as well as their awareness and education services.
Perkins said although the benefit is an annual event for the society, they have not performed a show every year.
This year's show ran more a like a variety show, Perkins said, and featured scenes from certain plays, performances from members of the UA forensics team and a student poetry reading.
Once the lights went down in the theater, the ambiance was more like that of an open mic night at a local coffee shop. The only difference was the acts were predetermined.
To get the word out about the event, Perkins and other members of APO took advantage of the crowds forming around the open-air evangelists on campus by passing out flyers and asking for donations for West Alabama AIDS Outreach.
Perkins said the benefit is very personal to him, as he has had some friends die due to AIDS, and encourages students to come out to the show.
"It's their fellow students performing for a good cause," he said. "I would just encourage everyone to come and support."
Students interested in donating money can stop by APO's table in the Ferguson Center, Perkins said.
Tickets for tonight's show are $5 and are only available at the door.
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