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  • Ashlyn Edwards and Sammy Vogt act out a vignette involving workplace bullying in "The Bully Plays" during a dress rehearsal at Our Lady of Providence High School on Thursday. The production illustrates bullying in a variety of settings to show children what bullying is and what it can do to its victims. Staff photo by Jerod Clapp

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November 9, 2012

Bullying addressed in play at Providence

Providence shows victims’ perspectives in show

By JEROD CLAPP jerod.clapp@newsandtribune.com

CLARKSVILLE — On the playground, in the lunchroom or the workplace, it finds its way wherever it can. Starting this weekend, it’ll be on stage.

Our Lady of Providence Jr.-Sr. High School will begin its production of “The Bully Plays” on Saturday. The show features six short plays that explore bullying in different environments. The show is aimed at students in fifth grade or older.

Kerry Jones, the director of the play and vice principal, said putting the play on stage might illustrate the other side of bullying.

“I hope some of them can see some of their own experiences that they’ve had,” Jones said. “Most people think of theater as entertainment, but it can also be a great teaching tool. If we even reach just one student or five students, maybe they’ll take a stance whether that’s listening to someone or doing something else to combat bullying.”

The students in the show are freshmen and sophomores. Jones said it gives the younger high school students a chance to experience acting earlier.

Ashlyn Edwards is one of the actors. In one of her vignettes, she plays a boss who demeans one of her workers. Edwards said bullying even happens to adults and other settings people might not expect.

“It’s to make people more aware of the problem of bullying,” Edwards said. “It shows some of the different forms bullying can present itself in.”

Kendall Powell, sophomore, said the show gives the perspectives of the people who are bullied as well rather than just the perspective of the bully.

“Instead of just seeing the bullying going on, you can see how it affects someone,” Powell said. “It shows you really need to think before you say something because you don’t know what kind of effect it can have on someone.”

Showtimes are 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door

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