Students in Grey-Bruce are learning to build safe relationships.
SHEATRE is putting on another educational forum called “Far From the Heart” which highlights dating violence and date rape.
The group started visiting schools in our region in the middle of this month, and director Joan Chandler says the participation and feedback from students has been great.
The play focuses on a girl who gets herself into a violent situation with her boyfriend, which leads to another situation involving alcohol and the pressure to have sex.
After the show finishes, the students have an opportunity to go on stage, and act out alternate solutions to the scene.
Nala Nicole Simon plays the Joker, who facilitates the discussion among the students about the scenes.
She says the response from the students has been positive, and it’s surprising how creative the kids are and how good their solutions are.
Chandler began working on the play two years ago, and had a few performances.
Once word spread about the work she was doing, she realized the demand for the play was growing, and they had to work to get community partners on board as well as funding so that they could present the play in schools.
Chandler says they have about 20 volunteers, as well as counsellors from eight different organizations to help kids work through what they saw.
Performances continue at local schools until May 2nd.
