SPAMO makes mark on campus, in community
By Matt Simko
IV Leader Staff
It might be easy to assume that a performing arts group
would stick to a conventional focus with its activities; that is, putting on
plays and musicals. Yet, the Students of Performing Arts and Music Organization
continues to offer events that enhance not only the artistic experience of its
members but of the campus as a whole. The club is active in bringing social and
artistic functions to the school as well as the community.
The organization, which has about 18 continually active
members, recently put on a highly successful coffee house that included an open
mike session. Activities such as this are a favorite of club secretary Meredith
Donahue, who noted that the club is open to any student and its current
membership includes an engineering major.
The organization has been active in the community in a
multitude of ways, including helping with the make-up used to portray particular
injury scenarios at the Boy Scouts First Aid Merit Badge program held on campus
last fall. They also have worked with the Grundy County Circuit Courts to help
spread awareness of domestic violence.
SPAMO’s upcoming activities of course include performances
such as Schoolhouse Rock Live!, which is playing March 16 through the 19, as
well as a Broadway musical review. It will also be hosting a luau dance that is
open to all students on Feb. 22.
SPAMO also played a critical role in establishing an accredited dance class this
semester. While the interest for this class had persisted among students at
IVCC, it was with SPAMO’s support that the Fine Arts division decided to begin
offering the class.
The club has shown further commitment to the school in that
it raises $1,000-$2,000 annually for student scholarships.
Faculty advisor David Alan Kuester said that one of SPAMO’s best offerings is
the chance for performance majors to “get experience that they wouldn’t be able
to get at a four-year university.” This is because most acting roles and
production positions are limited to upper classmen at these schools. He added
that the club also offers these students the chance to develop universally
applicable skills such as leadership and community involvement.
With its well-rounded repertoire of activities, the Students
of Performing Arts and Music Organization provides a commendable service to IVCC
and its community.