The Bully Project

After a problem with bullying hit too close to home, Education Director and Theatre Teacher at Creative Arts Kelly Walsh decided to integrate that subject matter into her theatre classes. The Bully Project is a play the children will perform April 12 at the Reading Public Library. 

Because she is always looking for new and interesting topics for her acting classes, Walsh thought of The Bully Project last fall and decided to implement it this year.

It all started when her son dealt with a bully in middle school. 

"My oldest son started middle school and in the first couple of weeks we had a bully problem on our hands," she said. "A boy at the school was teasing my son and it got to the point that he was punched in the bathroom. My son was reluctant to tell me about it because he was fearful that he would be labeled a snitch and then the bullying would become worse."

Walsh reported the incident to the school and they acted quickly. Both boys' parents were called in for meetings and the problem was resolved. Her son talks to the bully now and refers to him as a friend, Walsh said.

"This got me thinking. How big a problem is bullying in the schools? Haven’t we talked ourselves blue in the face over the subject? What is driving the issue? Fear? Jealousy? I brought the subject up with my Act Two theatre students. In my opinion, theatre is a reflection of the world we live in, so what better way to explore the topic of bullying," she told Patch.

Her class liked the idea of creating a group of scenes and monologues on the topic, she said.

"It gave them a chance to explore their feeling on bullying in a safe environment, protected by the mask of a character," Walsh said. "They wrote about bullies not liking others for how they looked, how much money their families had, and how they didn’t act like all the others. Being different was a major reason for being bullied."

The most interesting piece was a monologue written from the perspective of a bully, she said. In the piece, the bully talked about the jealousy she felt toward children who came from a happy home. The character became a bully to deal with the anger she felt toward her own family.

"My goal from the project is that the students walk away with a better understanding of why children bully and what to do when it happens. I hope they will all leave the class knowing, if nothing else, that they are not alone and they can always reach out for help," Walsh said.

Residents are welcome to attend the free performance of The Bully Project on April 12 at 4 p.m. at the Reading Public Library in the Meeting Room.

For more information on The Bully Project or other classes at Creative Arts, call 781-942-9600 or e-mail info@weteachcreativearts.org.