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The Courage to Stand
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We start with a scene familiar to all elementary school kids—there is a bully at the bus stop! Our protagonist, Alex, sees a friend being bullied, but doesn't know what to do about it. With the help of Bessy, a time-traveling bus driver, and crucial input from the audience, Alex races back in time to learn how to stand up for others!
In this interactive performance, students are challenged to look at the problem of bullying in a fresh, new way. By exploring acts of courage throughout history, including moments from the Holocaust and the Civil Rights Era., students learn to examine the choices, risks, and consequences of intervening to help the target in a bullying situation. This innovative program teaches young people to creatively investigate the idea of courage—what it is, where to find it and how to act as a "courageous bystander".
Objective: To explore the role of the "bystander" in a bullying situation
Grades: 4th-6th
Number of Students: 15-35 per performance
Length: Five one-hour sessions, one session per day
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Day One
Actors introduce the terms "bully", "target", and "courageous bystander" through scenes based on real-life situations.
Day Two
Students are immersed in the world of the Civil Rights Era, exploring integration through the eyes of one of the "Little Rock Nine". In the context of this historical moment, students are confronted with the reality of why it is important to stand up for others by being a "courageous bystander".
Day Three
Students assume the roles of community members in Denmark during World War II. When they discover that beloved friends and neighbors are targets of violence because of their Jewish heritage, they must debate the risks of intervening and the importance of helping other in their community.
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Day Four
Our actors-teachers return to the contemporary scenes presented on Day 1. Using what they have learned during the show, students take on the role of courageous bystanders, stepping into the scenes with our actors and safely rehearsing methods of intervention in a bullying situation.
Follow-Up Session
Three to six weeks later, actor-teachers return to the classroom, using dramatic play and games to reinforce the message of the show and explore how it has impacted the student community.
The Courage to Stand addresses TEKS in eight subject areas, including science, social studies, and health education.
For more information, or to reserve a performance, contact us.
Click here to see pictures of this interactive performance residency.
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