Don't Say a Word

Workshops focusing on anti-bullying were held at Sir Charles Tupper and Gladstone Secondary Schools. Forty young people participated; a play was developed based on these students' experiences of bullying, harassment, intimidation, and violence. The title reflects the code of silence that prevents youth from stopping violence or seeking support. A cast and apprentice crew were selected from among those who attended the workshops.

"Don't Say a Word" used forum theatre and an interactive style of theatre, and featured students from Gladstone and Tupper Secondary Schools. This play, which was performed at Tupper Secondary School February 13-23 2003, was also presented live on the internet on February 23 2003. In association with the play, organisers asked attendees to provide some space around the performance to showcase other kinds of violence prevention and youth- and safety-related projects. By adding something to the play, having information available in the lobby, or providing links on the Headlines Theatre website, organisers hoped that the play itself might serve as a capacity-building opportunity for other relevant projects. They also encouraged community-based events piggybacked on the viewing of the play.

Youth, Conflict.

Forum theatre takes a moment from real life and makes it theatrical in order to create a symbolic moment in time that a larger audience can work on. When forum is performed, a short play - perhaps 5 to 10 minutes long - is performed by community members. The story builds to a crisis and stops there, offering no solutions. The play is then run again, with audience members able to "freeze" the action at any point when they see an incident of oppression, or a character engaged in a struggle. An audience member yells "stop!", comes into the playing area, replaces the character she or he sees struggling against the problem, and tries out his or her idea. The process is, ideally, 2 hours long. Rather than putting forward a didactic message, it engages the community in making meaningful choices.