Cape theatre students raise $6,200 for fight against AIDS

Students from the Cape Henlopen High School Theatre Academy were recently nationally recognized for their philanthropic efforts in raising over $6,200 for Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. Tom Viola, founder and executive director of Broadway Cares, joined the students and their teacher, Theatre Director Martha E. Pfeiffer, at The Hour Glass Tavern in New York City to personally thank the students for their dedication.

Viola said, “I want to thank Mrs. Pfeiffer for her support and the wonderful opportunities she offers the Cape Henlopen students to express themselves and work for a common cause. “

Pfeiffer and her students went from The Hour Glass Tavern to the Longacre Theatre to see the current Broadway revival of “Of Mice and Men” starring James Franco and Chris O’Dowd. Pfeiffer arranged a backstage visit with her students, who enjoyed an exclusive question-and-answer session with the cast immediately following the show. Pfeiffer had met Franco in April through a Broadway Cares event.

“James was very impressed that a small school in southern Delaware was able to able to raise the amount we reached last year [$5,200],” said Pfeiffer. “When I told him we had another one coming up, he asked that if the students beat last year’s amount, he wanted to meet them.” Franco was true to his word, and the kids had a wonderful experience. In the past two years, the CHHS Theatre Academy has raised over $12,000 for Broadway Cares.