Assertions: Kids Speak About Bullying Through Art

This Thursday, June 23, the topic of bullying will be brought to the stage through the words of Island students performed by Island children. The YMCA's Dance Program, IMP and Joanne Cassidy’s vocal students joined forces this year to create a recital that is more than just a performance. Titled , this serio-comic song, dance and theater piece was created around the real writings of Martha's Vineyard students about the topic of bullying. According to Donna Swift, director of IMP, "Every single word you hear comes from something the kids wrote. I didn't change or add anything. And it's very powerful."

When Sandy Stone started the YMCA dance program, she wanted to create an end of the year show that gave her students and the audience a bigger experience than the typical dance recital. She approached  Cassidy to provide live music for her dances and Swift to add theater to the show. Since the show was for the YMCA’s dance members, a show based on a social issue made sense. 

Swift went into Island schools and led improv workshops, discussions and writing prompts around the topic of bullying. "I was surprised at the huge spectrum," said Swift. "Some kids hardly notice bullying and others experience it every day." The only requirement for the students was to speak their truth, to write and discuss what they truly felt, rather than what teachers wanted to hear.  

The result is an insightful piece of theater, full of monologues and scenes written by Island students. It addresses how they cope with bullies, queen bees and group dynamics. Swift described one performance as a kid standing on stage talking about something that they really love while behind them other kids are snickering and giggling. According to Stone, "I think that anytime we can stop, take a breath and think about how our actions impact other people, it's good." The choreographed dance pieces are done to songs that symbolize bullying and are sung by Joanne Cassidy's singers, including Igrid Michaelson's cover of "Turn to Stone" and Mike Posner's "Cooler than Me."

Finally, to top off the evening, three professional dancers: Parisa Khobdeh; George Smallwood, of Paul Taylor Dance Company; and Michael Spencer Phillips, of Pascal Rioult Dance Company will dance to The Five Stairsteps' "Oooh Child (Things are Going to Get Easier)."

Assertions will be presented for only one performance, on Thursday, June 23 at 7 p.m. at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids, and are available on Tickets MV, the and at the door.