Bullying is a stark reality in our culture, so much so that October is designated as National Anti-Bullying month. To help stomp out bullying and give teachers, students and parents the tools they need, The Ridgefield Playhouse is launching a “Get Real” Series beginning with two key events. On Thursday, October 4, at 7:30 p.m., Lee Hirsch, Director of “Bully”, will kick off National Anti-Bullying Month and the Reliance Merchant Services “Get Real” Series for Families & Teens with a screening and discussion of his film ($45).
On Thursday, October 18, “Bullying Exposed: This Ends Today!” will take place in three targeted sessions: 10 a.m. for elementary schools ($5); 12:30 a.m. for middle schools ($5); 7:30 p.m. for teens and parents ($20). The “Get Real” series title sponsor is Reliance Merchants Services and is underwritten by Adam Broderick Salon & Spa, ?Northeast Builders of Ridgefield, LLC, and The Ridgefield Prevention Council with additional support from Ridgefield Family Eye Care. This event is part of the Moffly Media Entertaining Conversations Series.
Lee Hirsh’s film “Bully” is a stark portrait of what bullying looks like from the perspective of the victims with the goal of bringing bullying to the forefront. The man behind the anti-bullying movement, Lee Hirsch, was a former victim of bullying himself and started filming “Bully” in the fall of 2009, shortly after two 11-year-old boys (from Massachusetts and Georgia) committed suicide following prolonged harassment at school. Hirsch spent the rest of that academic year in a handful of schools across the country, following five students and families in an effort to understand how bullying is handled within the schools. It is his belief and that of other anti-bullying proponents that students want to be involved and respected, not talked-down-to. These “Get Real” series events are interactive/personal in order to facilitate everyone’s learning about the two major subjects tackled in the series: bullying and substance abuse. The October 18 “Bullying Exposed: This Ends Today!” event is a hands-on exploration of how to transform energy into relaxed confidence for a healthier perspective when faced with adversity. It is underwritten by the Taylor Zemo Foundation.
The Get Real Series continues into next year with comedian ANT’s edutainment show “Bullied, Bashed but not Broken” on February 7 & 8, and other programs geared to help kids, parents, teachers and administrators deal with bullying as well substance abuse issues. The Ridgefield Playhouse is partnering with the Women’s Center of Danbury to educate parents and teens about how to ‘Get Real’ and play an important role in stomping out bullying in the greater Ridgefield area.
For tickets and reserved seating, call the box at 203-438-5795 or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. For more information on The Ridgefield Playhouse, visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.
