Schools

Drama Club Performance Inspired by New Anti-Bullying Law

Showing of "Bang, Bang, You're Dead" will be Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m.

 

With the new state anti-bullying law in effect, the Lacey Township High School Drama Club will present “Bang, Bang, You’re Dead” to bring awareness to the issue.

“The play really fit in with the law and our efforts here to change the culture of bullying,” Principal William Zylinski said.

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The one act play, which was written by William Mastrosimone in 1999, will be showing for students on Tuesday, Nov. 29 and 30 from 7:15 to 8:30 a.m. and for the public on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

The premise of the play is to raise awareness of school violence and its causes. It is largely based on the true story of Kip Kinkel, a 15-year-old who murdered his parents, two classmates and wounded 22 others in May of 1998.

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Mastrosimone was inspired to write the drama because his son was bullied in school, Zylinski said.

The showings will take place nearly one year after the The bill was produced in the wake of multiple suicides across the country believed to be  

“Bullying exists in all schools,” Zylinski said. The school district had a strong policy prior to the bill, but this law highlights certain areas to prevent, address and remediate issues.

in suicide prevention, harassment, intimidation, and bullying; appoint a school liaison to law enforcement; establish bullying prevention programs; respond to actions that occur off school grounds; form a school safety team; and appoint anti-bullying specialists and coordinators.

After the bill was enforced, Zylinski approached Drama Club Director Brian Stike to put on a play for students by students to demonstrate the impact of bullying, he said. Stike introduced “Bang, Bang, You’re Dead” as a play that he has used in the past as a teaching tool to examine the irreversible effects of bullying.

“Brian is conducting a talk back where audience members can ask questions. There will also be a pre-talk where they’ll prepare students to see something that’s of a very important nature. So we address both ends,” Zylinski said.

Mastrosimone and Performing Arts Center students will be attending one of the showings.

Stike did not immediately return calls for comment.


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