Thespians

THON Committee

Co-Chairs: Kaitlin Boland kob5026@psu.edu
Carey Humes ceh5186@psu.edu

The THON committee is Thespians' involvement in the IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, a year-long fundraising effort for pediatric cancer that culminates in a 46-hour dance marathon held every February in the Bryce Jordan Center. In 2009, THON raised $7.49 billion for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children's Hospital. For more information about THON, please visit www.thon.org.

Our THON committee raises money by going on canning trips to members' homes, mailing THONvelopes, and collecting in pledge booklets. Thespians is paired with a family who has a daughter with cancer, and the committee maintains communication and interaction between our club and our family. The committee also chooses dancers, usually two, from Thespians to participate in THON, where they endure 46 hours of no sleeping, sitting, or lying down. Thespians is proud and grateful to be a part of such a wonderful event!

Meet the Committee Chair

Name: Kaitlin Boland
Year: Senior
Major: Theatre BA
Hometown: Sellersville, PA

THON is a 46 hour dance marathon that takes place in February to raise money for the Four Diamonds Fund, an organization that raises funds for children with cancer and their families. Organizations from all over Penn State get to participate in this great cause, raising money throughout the year ending with the big dance marathon, where we have two members dance for 46 hours.We have been paired with a THON family in the past, who joins us for THON weekend. We also raise money through canning and other events leading up to THON weekend. Our committee organizes these events .

This year we hope to get many members of Thespians involved in THON, both by giving their cetain tasks within the committee and having the whole club join us for THON organized events. We also hope to have several people host canning trips on the same weekend, as well as building a stronger bond throughout our whole club with our THON family.They are our stronger reason for participating in THON.

Thespians experience: I became a Thespian in Spring 2007 my freshman year. Since I have performed in two shows: Blood Brothers and Assassins, served as assistant costumes for Jekyll and Hyde, and directed Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Aside from mainstage productions, I danced in THON for Thespians and served as semi-formal chair my junior year.

Favorite Thespians moment: My pledge classes' communion! :)

Name: Carey Humes
Year: Sophomore
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Allentown, PA

Every year thousands of Penn State students from all of our campuses raise money to benefit families affected by childhood cancer. The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, better known as THON, raises funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer all year long. THON is the biggest student run philanthropy in the world and we pride ourselves on making a difference in the lives of children.

As THON co-chair, one of my goals is to get Thespians excited about THON. This year we are really hoping to do whatever we can to get Thespian members, and also our pledges as involved as possible. THON is a great way to build relationships with new people while helping others. It is so amazing to see so many people come together for such a meaningful cause. FTK!

My goal as THON chair is to get as many people in our club involved as I can. Canning trips are a great way to meet new people and the more that can come, the more money we can raise. I also want to establish a stronger relationship with our THON family. They are the reason why we raise money for THON and they mean a lot to Thespians.

Thespians experience: I was inducted into Thespians in the Spring of 2009 and I am loving it! I served on the build crew and marketing committee for Once Upon A Mattress as well as on Run Crew for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I have been involved with two Children's Shows I was in Amelia Bedilia in the fall of '08 and in the Spring of '09 I directed Rainbow Fish. This year I look forward to being an ASM for Sweeney Todd.

Favorite Thespians moment: Directing the Children's Show Rainbow Fish! :)