It’s with great excitement that Steppers Head Coach Tamiaka Killins looks forward to her team performing at the third annual Teens Dancing for Teens fundraiser on Thursday, March 26, at 7 p.m. in the South Campus Performing Arts Center (PAC).

“This kind of performance is different from our normal competition in that it is more relaxed and calmer,” Killins said. “They [the team] love this kind of event where you can really just let loose and have fun and enjoy yourself.”

LT’s Steppers are just one of eight local dance troupes that will be performing at the dance benefit. The program features performances from groups directly connected to LT like Eurythmics, Greek Club and Steppers, as well as performances from independent groups like Watch My Feet, Expression Dance Studio, M.A.D.D. Rhythms West: The BBF Crew, Footwork Dance Ensemble and Beyond Words Dance Company.

The fundraiser has been sponsored by LT’s Social Action Club for the past three years. With increasing attendance rates since the fundraiser began, the club hopes that this will be the largest turnout yet, club advisor Olga Boutov said.

“I would love to see more LT students and faculty members attend, because it really is a truly beautiful show,” Boutov said. “There’s a lot of local talent in this program that people might not see otherwise. The support between the dancers really creates a great atmosphere of camaraderie between dancers and the audience. It’s a wonderful celebration of diversity.”

This year, the fundraiser will benefit the Firehouse Arts Center in Lawndale, Chicago. According to the center’s website, they strive to “engage Lawndale youth & young adults in the arts, empowering them to reach their full potential while equipping them with marketable skills in order to build confidence and success in all areas of life.”

Social Action Club members chose to support the Firehouse this year after visiting the center and seeing what charitable support does for young people there by keeping them off the street and away from violence, Boutov said.

“I think this show gives our club members, and hopefully the LT community, the opportunity to help on a very personal level,” Boutov said. “This center isn’t that far from us, but it’s a totally different environment where it takes a lot of effort to stay away from a lot of very negative things.”

Dancers from the Firehouse’s dance studio will be in attendance to perform as well as to speak about their own personal experiences and the effects the center has had on their lives, Boutov said.

“I think it is a very spectacular thing for our teens to be doing something to help their peers, and for us [Steppers] to be a part of it is really rewarding” Killins said. “It makes you appreciate what you have.”

Tickets for the dance benefit can be purchased for $5 and all attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a 50/50 cash raffle at the show.