Costa Drama and Tech hold annual AIDS benefit concert

SENIORS PERFORM: Seniors Jack Searer (left) and Matalee Brown sing “Throwback Thursday on a Tuesday.” The Drama benefit was on Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. in the small theater. Photo by Jenna Walter/La Vista

By Jenna Walter

Executive Theme Editor

Costa’s Drama and Tech held its annual Aids Benefit concert on Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. in the small theater.

Drama raised over $900 to donate through ticket sales, concession sales, and donations. According to junior Ava Ford, each audition had to be self-prepared and performed in front of student-producers seniors Jack Searer, Lia DeFonce-Martini and Lizzy Fleming. Performances varied from vocal solos and duets to scenes and monologues.

“We looked to see diversity in the types of acts and the preparedness of each act,” said Fleming. “From there, we compiled a cast list containing singers, instrumentalists and skits from those who auditioned.

Sophomore Jaxon Stroke and Junior Natalie Rameriez sing their duet.

One day prior to the show, the cast participated in a dress rehearsal for two hours. According to sophomore Jaxon Stroyke, the dress rehearsal is helpful because all the students have a chance to perform their act with real stage lighting and sound.

“We have a walk through where we set lighting and volume for each act,” said Fleming. “We have one run-through where we go in order to replicate the real show in order to work out technical difficulties.”

Seniors Searer (left) and Matalee Brown sing “Throwback Thursday on a Tuesday.” The Drama benefit was on Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. in the small theater.

Most acts were performed by drama students, but according to Fleming, students outside of drama were able to participate in the show. Students from Model United Nations performed, as well as a guitar duet.

“The benefit concerts are so great mainly because of the diversity in all the performances,” senior drama student Kara Canty said. “The cast is so talented, and I love seeing them shine in other areas beyond acting.”

Junior Siena Fredrick performs her vocal solo.

Early in Act 1, Stroyke and junior Natalie Ramirez performed their vocal duet “Seventeen.” According to Stroyke, he and Ramirez have been practicing together since summer, but it was a last-minute decision to audition for the show. They practiced for hours before the audition to get it sounding just right.

“The vocal acts are always my favorite, especially when they come from younger performers,” said Canty. “ [Stroyke and Ramirez] are two very talented singers, and I was blown away by their duet.”

Sophomore Chloe Estrin gives inspirational speech, “The Letter S”

According to Fleming, each benefit show drama hosts donates 100% of proceeds to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, a non-profit organization. Profits come from ticket sales, concession sales, and donations.

“It also is more than just a talent show, and it feels amazing to have an impact on something bigger than just your local community and raise awareness for topics such as AIDS,” Fleming said.