‘The IT’ show to raise money for charity

“The IT” has returned, and this semester’s show, “The IT: 911,” equals a night of entertainment, enlightenment, artistic exposure and social consciousness. The show will take place on Nov. 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. in Lee Hall Auditorium.

The show was created to bring together artists of different backgrounds, and to display their talent in a new and interesting way.

The showcase will include music, dance, theater, and poetry that was influenced by the events of Sept. 11. It is dedicated to the people whose lives were affected by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Past themes for the show have been “The IT: Bag lady,” and “The IT: How does it feel?” The producer and director of the show is Tara Lake, who is also the president of the New Vision Association.

All proceeds from the show will be donated to the Tom Joyner/Black America Web Crisis Relief Fund.

“We (The New Vision Association) trust the Tom Joyner and the Black America Foundations because it centers on African Americans and for its support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said Lake, 22, a senior English student from Hillside, N.J.” We were also concerned with how African Americans faired in those tragic events.”

“The IT” is a student run variety show that is sponsored by the New Vision Association. The co-sponsors of “The IT” include Student Activities and the Student Government Association. The New Vision Association was founded in 1998 by theater students Gustavius Smith and Dean Muhammad. There are 27 students in the show, which includes 14 actors, three dancers, four singers and one musician.

The event will consist of exhibitions from many genres of art that contain song, dance, theatrical and poetic performances. The writers compose the monologues, poems, and skits on a specific theme, choose music that complements the piece, and with the help of the actors and other members, the pieces come to life. Dia Collins, choreographer, completes the process by giving the show movement.

Many students have positive outlooks about the upcoming show.

Janet Lewis, 20, a junior business administration student from Jacksonville looks forward to the show.

“I enjoyed the last show and I’m really looking forward to seeing what they have created.”

“I think the show will be a big success, not just because of the entertainment, but because they are doing it for a higher cause,” said April Robertson, 19, a sophomore engineering student from Sarasota.

The New Vision Association is excited about this semester’s show. “We have done shows in the Grand Ballroom and Perry Paige, but this will be the first show in Lee Hall,” Lake said.