Bullying, whether in the schoolyard or on the Internet, has become an epidemic.

In the last few months alone, three US teens have committed suicide because of it. And the count only continues to climb. The Columbine High School massacre was a direct result of bullying, as are countless other teen tragedies

Bullying can take many forms, from physical torture (its most extreme form), to verbal abuse and personal ridicule, to name calling or breach of personal privacy through the unauthorized and widespread distribution of sexually explicit photos or texting messages and language not originally intended to be shared with a wide audience or even a small or large group of so-called friends using the Internet and/or mobile phone networks. 

Bullies tend to single out those they perceive as different, or weak, or “outsiders.” Having everyone become an accepted member or part of the larger group doesn’t prevent the occasional arguments or teasing that may arise among teens, but it does tend to lessen the dangerous kind of aggressive bullying that results from singling out specific individuals because they are “different.” Unfortunately, kids with mental and/or physical disabilities are in the highest-risk class to be victimized, as are gay and lesbian youth.
 

Building upon her award-winning work with mentally, physically, and emotionally challenged teens, writer/producer/director Victoria Larimore, seeks to use participatory theater to help communities build a bridge between kids of varying backgrounds so that they grow to realize their commonly shared goals and aspirations, and not simply focus on their differences.

According to Victoria, “The arts are a proven and effective way for kids to express their true feelings – whether that be fear, anger, anxiety, or other difficult emotions – in a cathartic way, in a supportive environment, by working together to accomplish a common goal.  In a real way, acting a role  allows kids to open up, to let down their guard, and to learn to respect one another, despite their real or perceived differences.”

The project, originally conceived by Miss Larimore, is being sponsored and supported in part, by a grant from InCollaboration Incorporated, a well-known New York City-based nonprofit working with teens and young adults with special needs. The work is an audience-interactive, improvisational theater piece, designed with audience participation in mind. 

The companion Study Guide, which includes several suggested script, casting, and staging ideas, covers a number of common causes of bullying, and contains numerous referrals to additional national and community resources, will soon be made available to schools, community centers, libraries, churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, etc. for a modest fee. 

Anyone interested may register in advance to receive this material upon its release and publication.  Just go to the InCollaboration website, http://www.readers.org/, click on the required link, Bullying, complete and submit the short form, and you will be notified of its availability ahead of its official release to the general public.

Sign Up Here for the "Bullying" Study Guide