CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- It started 23 years ago with Chicago Academy for the Arts alum and now songwriter Justin Tranter. He put together a student-run variety show that would raise money and awareness for HIV/AIDS.
"It started out donating to pediatric aids, but HIV/AIDS is something so closely related to the artist community, it only felt right that we give back and help out our own," said Grania McKirdie, Senior, Chicago Academy for the Arts.
"It's so stigmatized and we really want to combat that with art, hope, and love. It's not in the news as much as it was in the 80s and 90s, but it hasn't gone away. We're still struggling with it. We're closer than ever to finding a cure."
McKirdie said the show has now grown to be the school's main event of the year.
"It's sort of our homecoming since our school doesn't have sports. It's a big deal here," she said.
What's unique, McKirdie said, is that it's completely student run.
"We come here to study our craft. It's no longer a hobby or something we do as an extra curricular for fun. It's our passion. It is our drive and we hope to be doing it for the rest of our lives," McKirdie said.
The 23rd Annual AIDS Benefit will take place Sept. 20-21 at The Academy, 1010 W. Chicago Ave. in Chicago’s River West neighborhood.
All proceeds go to The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The goal is to raise $10,000.