MRHS Performing Arts Academy Shines a Light on Bullying

A teenage girl stepped slowly toward the front of the stage, looking back at a row of her peers standing tall behind her as she sunk to the ground feeling isolated by viscious pregnancy rumors.

This was just one small scene from an anti-bullying play that was written, sung and choreographed by the students of the Performing Arts Academy at .

Bullying statistics from a district-wide survey and specific incidents submitted anonymously by high school students were incorporated to create a genuine and heartfelt depiction of what it means to be bullied today. The project was overseen by Jim Jack, the director of education and outreach from the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick.

They then performed the play for each grade level.

"All of the stories you saw today actually happened. It's not like we just said, 'Oh let's talk about this.' It actually happened," said one actor to the audience after the performance.

The students tackled the traditional idea of physical bullying, but also name calling, accusations, rumors, labeling, isolation, cyber attacks on social media like Facebook and Twitter and racial and ethnic stereotypes - a task that the students admit was not easy.

"I think just being so vulnerable and putting ourselves out here and saying what's really important in front of you guys, and that fact that you're our peers makes it even harder," one student said. "But everyone is taking to it very well so thank you."