1. On Sundayafternoonthe aislesof Grafton-Stovall were linedwithpurpleandgoldballoonswhile
audience memberbegantofill the seatsandan upbeatintroduction videoplayedonthe frontprojector.
A seniormusical theatre major,Michael Bendit createdabenefitconcertashisseniorseminarprojectto
go alongwiththe theme of Theatre forChange in whichvariousmusical actsperformedoverthe spanof
twohours and all proceedswere donatedtoSt.Jude Children’sResearchHospital.
“I was reallyexcitedtogoall out and make a mark on JMU,” saidBendit.“Iwasjust reallyexcitedto
make thiseventcome to life.”
In regardsto seniorprojects,manystudentsoftencreate somethingof asmallerscale buthaving had
cancer affecthisfamily aswell ascountlessothers,Benditknew thiswasaprojectthatwas worth
puttingthe time andeffortinto inorder to create a biggerevent.
“The mostunique aspectwasthe focuson producinga fullyrealizedfundraisingevent,”saidKate
Arecchi,adviserin the musical theare program.“Othershave createdplans, buthave notalways
producedthe event.”
The concert consistedof performancesbyA CapellagroupssuchasExit245, Low Key,Bluestones,The
MadisonProject,Note-oriety,andThe Overtones withtwoothercollaboration performances of
“Seasonsof Love”and “Like Breathing.”
*Insertquote fromDavidPumphrey*
Unfortunately,due tothe timingof the eventconflictingwithprimestudyhoursforfinalsaswell as
manyGreeklife chaptermeetings,itdid notraise the $1,000 that Michael hopedfor.It did;however,
raise approximately$200 at the eventandanother$400 onthe online fundingsite thatMichael created.
He wasalso thankful tofindmanyorganizationsthatofferedtodonate raffle prizestohiscause suchas
JamesMcHone,Moxie,Dunkin’Donuts,Mr.J’s BagelsandCupcake CompanyLLC.
“Because this wasnon-profit,Iwasso blessedtohave metsomanypeople thatwere willingtodonate
theirproductsand skills,”Benditsaid.“The timingof the eventwasalittle off of whatI wouldhave liked
but I wasstill reallyhappythatthere were people there tosupportthe cause,”he added.
The quote that inspiredthe eventwassaidbythe founderof St.Jude, the late DannyThomaswhowas a
famousentertainerandcomedian.The quote reads,“Nochild shoulddie inthe dawnof life,”andisthe
premise forSt.Jude’smissionasachildren’sresearchfacility.
“I lovedthe factthat someone whoisan entertainerdecidedtodosomethingtocreate change inthe
world,”saidBendit.
Otherinspirationsforthe concertcame fromresearchof variousnon-profitorganizationswithinthe
performingcommunitysuchasChime forChange,BroadwayCares/EquityFightsCancer,andThe Vagina
Monologues,all of whichpromote change andcharityworkthroughthe performingarts.

2. “It inspiredme somuchthat musicand performance canmake so muchmore forcool causes,”said
Bendit.“Thatreallyfueledthe fireforme increatinga benefitconcert.”
In lessthantwoweeksBendit willgraduate,thensoonafterhe will be onhiswaytoBusch Gardens
where he will workasan actor. Afterthathe will proceedsouthtoDisneyWorldinFloridaforayear
where he will continuehislove forthe performingartsfirstasa costumer,thenbyauditioningfor
variouscharacter roles.
Thisprojectis somethingtobe proudof and he hopesto have the opportunityinhisfuture tocreate
more like it.
“I love non-profitworkandthisprojecthassparkedanew passionforme,”Benditsaid.“Giventhe
chance,I wouldlove toteamup withSt.Jude as an eventplanner.”