Student produces ‘For a Good Cause’
To raise awareness of several national causes and organizations, sophomore experience design major Bethany Rainbolt will direct her first production, “For a Good Cause.” The art and dance event will take place in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center on Oct. 22 at 8 p.m.
According to Rainbolt, she thought of “For a Good Cause” in high school and decided to present the idea for the show to several professors, including Director of Experience Design Samantha Meigs.
Dancers rehearse for one of the performances featured in “For a Good Cause,” which premieres in CDFAC on Oct. 22. Photo contributed by Bethany Rainbolt
Meigs said she was impressed with Rainbolt’s ideas for the production.
“This kind of real-life project is a great example of how student expertise can be joined with community needs for everyone’s benefit,” Meigs said.
Once “For a Good Cause” was approved, Rainbolt began narrowing down the types of causes and organizations she wanted to include. She decided on 18 causes and organizations that promote helping others in need. Some of those causes include Autism Awareness, American Red Cross and Stop Child Abuse.
“I decided on a lot of causes that I found to be extremely present and important in the Indianapolis community, several causes that I think can often be overlooked, and some that I am beyond passionate about myself,” Rainbolt said.
According to Rainbolt, dances incorporated in the show range from modern and contemporary to lyrical and jazz pieces. Many of the causes and organizations that Rainbolt feels strongly about will be represented in dance during the production.
“So many of the causes represented are so heavily emotional that I did not want to make my production a one-note experience,” Rainbolt said.
In addition to the dance performance, the “For a Good Cause” event will include artwork in the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center. Student and amateur artwork is accepted, but each piece must incorporate one or more causes that are included in the show.
“Each piece of art is free to interpretation,” Rainbolt said. “I did not want anything to feel limited or like it was unacceptable.”
According to Rainbolt, admission to “For a Good Cause” will be free.
“People often think that the only way they can help those in need around them is with money,” Rainbolt said. “It is true that money does help, but there are so many alternative ways to help others.”
Rainbolt said she hopes the people who come to “For a Good Cause” will leave the production with an appreciation for each of the causes represented in some way.
“I encourage people to attend ‘For A Good Cause’ to see and feel how the experience of helping an organization does not come in only one way, shape or form.”
