COMBAT HIGH SCHOOL BULLYING AN INTERACTIVE THEATRE PERFORMANCE
PROJECT BY EMMA DAVIDSON WRITTEN BY ADAM YOUNG YPC - SHARON JACKSON PROJECT # 0176 - ESJ [PERFORMANCE DESIGNED TO SUIT AUDIENCES AGED 11-13]
FIXERS - PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING TRUST CALPE HOUSE 7A St THOMAS STREET WINCHESTER SO23 9HE
Characters [Genders not specified.] Host:
The character who arrives on stage in between performances to question the audience's interpretation, addresses and applies their thoughts and suggestions. The HOST must be capable of improvising and receptive to the audience's feedback and opinions - authority and regulation comes from this person.
Bully:
The antagonist who causes distress for the VICTIM in a variety of ways.
Bully #2:
[ACT II] Friend of BULLY who joins in with his antics.
Pupil:
Quiet and neutral in the scene his or her position is open to stand up for the VICTIM or control the situation.
Victim:
A fellow pupil who minds their own business but is an easy target for the BULLY. GUIDELINES
Each performance is non-verbal - the dialogue in the square parentheses '[ ]' are there to help the actors deliver the intended performance, but the spoken word must be in gibberish for the audience to interpret. The roles should be rotated between the three actors from scene-to-scene, example: The individual performing as the BULLY in ACT I will become the VICTIM in ACT II etc. Every act is designed to created debate discussion amongst the audience members interaction is key to understanding the it's important that the host encourages the Q&A sessions.
and - the issue, this during
SCENE(S) Each scene is a high school setting. TIME Various times of the day between 9am 'til 4pm.
ACT I SCENE 1 SETTING:
A high school classroom - subject not specified.
AT RISE:
The VICTIM and PUPIL are already sat down; the VICTIM is drawing something, the PUPIL is texting on his phone. There is no teacher in the room. The BULLY immediately enters the scene STAGE LEFT when the performance commences. BULLY walks into the classroom and looks around he then walks past the PUPIL towards the VICTIM and looks down on his drawing. BULLY
[What are you drawing?] The VICTIM doesn't have time to answer as the BULLY snatches the drawing out from under him. BULLY [I said 'What are you doing?'] The VICTIM looks up at the BULLY who is laughing at the drawing. BULLY (to PUPIL) [Have you seen this?] PUPIL looks over their shoulder - at the drawing, and forcefully laughs with the BULLY.
[Yeah.
PUPIL (forced laughter) Stupid, right?] The VICTIM reaches out for their drawing but the BULLY holds it out of reach. BULLY
[You want it back?]
I-1-2 The BULLY tears up the drawing into little pieces and throws them like confetti at the VICTIM. BULLY [There you go.] The BULLY bursts into hysterical laughter, he turns to PUPIL practically seeking approval. The PUPIL awkwardly laughs along. The VICTIM looks crushed. HOST STOP! THE SCENE FREEZES. The HOST walks on stage and speaks directly to the audience. HOST What do you think is happening? ADDRESS AUDIENCE. HOST What problems do you see here? ADDRESS AUDIENCE. HOST (Indicate: BULLY) What is this person doing to (Indicate: VICTIM) - this person? ADDRESS AUDIENCE. HOST (Indicate: VICTIM) How do you think this person feels? ADDRESS AUDIENCE. HOST (Indicate: BULLY) Why do you think this person is picking on (Indicate: VICTIM) - this person?
I-1-3 ADDRESS AUDIENCE. HOST (Indicate: PUPIL) What do you think this person should have done? ADDRESS AUDIENCE. HOST What solutions do you have for this scene? changed here? ADDRESS AUDIENCE. END OF ACT I
What should be
II-1-4 ACT II SCENE 1 SETTING:
A sports hall - a P.E session is in progress.
AT RISE:
Two seating arrangements: BULLY and BULLY #2 are sat behind VICTIM and TEACHER (practically oblivious to what's happening), facing STAGE LEFT. Writing in their notebooks. BULLY nudges his friend, BULLY #2 - he points at the VICTIM's trainers and they both snigger away.
[Look at his shoes.
BULLY Where do you think he bought those from?]
[Probably didn't buy them.
BULLY #2 Found them at the local tip.]
The VICTIM turns to see what they're laughing about - the BULLY opens his arms in a threatening gesture. BULLY [You got a problem?] The VICTIM turns around and tries to ignore them as they continue to snigger behind his back. BULLY #2 takes one of the footballs and takes aim... BULLY #2 (to BULLY) [Get a load of this...] BULLY #2 checks to see if the coast is clear, then violently kicks the ball into the back of the VICTIM's head. BULLY and BULLY #2 can barely contain themselves as they silently laugh together.
II-1-5 The VICTIM turns to the other TEACHER and points to the bullies. The TEACHER looks at the bullies. TEACHER [Lads, stop that please!] BULLY [We didn't do anything, sir!] The TEACHER turns back to his clipboard. The bullies carry on. BULLY [Do you think we can make him cry?] BULLY #2 takes another football. BULLY #2 [Let's give it a try!] He kicks the ball at the back of the VICTIM's head again. HOST STOP! THE SCENE FREEZES. The HOST walks on stage and addresses the audience: HOST Can you tell me what's happening here? ADDRESSES AUDIENCE. HOST (Indicate: BULLY & BULLY #2) What do you think these two were laughing about? ADDRESSES AUDIENCE. HOST They were laughing at the clothes (Indicate: VICTIM) - he was wearing. Why would they make fun of someone just because of what they wore? Don't you think that's ridiculous?
II-1-6 ADDRESSES AUDIENCE. HOST (Indicate: TEACHER) Here is the teacher - do you think he/she did enough in this situation? ADDRESSES AUDIENCE. HOST Why didn't he (Indicate: VICTIM) - stand up for himself? ADDRESSES AUDIENCE. HOST Do you think that because he's afraid, that's why he gets bullied? Don't you think that makes the bullies pretty low and pathetic? ADDRESSES AUDIENCE. HOST (Indicate: TEACHER) What could the teacher have done to resolve this problem? ADDRESSES AUDIENCE. HOST What should we do to change this situation for the better? ADDRESSES AUDIENCE. END OF ACT II
ACT III SCENE 1 SETTING:
A canteen - this particular scene seeks to show how discrimination, rudeness or neglect can be hurtful also.
AT RISE:
BULLY and BULLY #2 is sat down eating - the VICTIM approaches and wants to sit down in the empty chair next to him. VICTIM
[Is this seat free...?] BULLY and BULLY #2 look up at him and neither answer - they just look back at each other, talking away whilst eating their food again. Awkwardly, the VICTIM takes the empty seat next to them. VICTIM [I'm new here.] They take no notice of him. VICTIM extends his hand. VICTIM [What are your names?] They both look at the VICTIM's hand like he's offending them and then look back at his food again. The VICTIM gets the idea, and withdraws his hand. He sits there in awkward silence for awhile, whilst the other two characters talk and eat. VICTIM [So, what lessons have you got next?] BULLY and BULLY #2 simply stand up, grab their
III-1-8 trays and walk to another table, sit down and carry on talking - leaving VICTIM alone on the other table, who sheepishly looks down at his own food and sadly eats. HOST STOP! THE SCENE FREEZES. The HOST faces the audience again. HOST So what do you think is happening in this scene? ADDRESSES AUDIENCE. HOST (Indicate: VICTIM) This character just wants to be friends with (Indicates: BULLY and BULLY #2)) - these two. But what are they doing in return? ADDRESSES AUDIENCE. HOST (Indicate: VICTIM) How do you think that makes him feel? ADDRESSES AUDIENCE. HOST Did he give them any reason for them to behave the in way they were behaving? ADDRESSES AUDIENCE. Next series of questions is somewhat rhetorical but open for discussion should the audience wish to participate. HOST Have any of you ever done anything like that? Have you ever picked on another person because you thought they were weak? Have you ever refused to be friends with someone just because they were different or because you thought it would make you look bad in front of others? Have you ever seen someone be bullied and not do anything about it? Have you ever been bullied yourself but been too ashamed or afraid to tell a teacher or someone who could do something about it?
III-1-9 ADDRESSES AUDIENCE. HOST Why do you think people bully? ADDRESSES AUDIENCE. HOST Do you think they even realise they're doing it half of the time? ADDRESSES AUDIENCE. HOST What can we do to make life a lot easier and happier for others? ADDRESSES AUDIENCE. HOST I don't know about you guys, but I think life is far more stressfree and enjoyable when everyone's getting along with each other. You don't have to like a person, but that doesn't mean you should be a nasty piece of work towards others, it's a lot simpler and you waste less energy when you just sit back and get along. ADDRESSES AUDIENCE. HOST So what have we learnt from all of this? ADDRESSES AUDIENCE. END OF ACT III THE END