Colorado Shakespeare Festival VIDEO: Be an upstander
Every day, 160,000 students miss school because of bullying. A group of Colorado Shakespeare Festival actors is working to change that. During the school year, a handful of CSF actors goes on tour to local elementary, middle and high schools to perform a Shakespeare play. Then the actors host a workshop, highlighting themes from the Bard’s writing to define bullying and discuss how students can prevent it and become an upstander.
Transcript
0:00
Every day 160,000 students miss school because of bullying
0:07
[Hands, put your empty hands in mine]
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[And scars, show me all the scars you hide.]
0:16
Have you ever seen bullying behavior at your school?
0:20
How often do we step in to prevent it?
0:25
Sorrow on you and all the pack of you that triumphed thus upon my misery!
0:31
In Colorado a group of actors is using theatre to make school safer
0:37
They perform a Shakespeare play that highlights mistreatment and bullying.
0:42
In a workshop after the play, students learn how to be upstanders, instead of bystanders.
0:50
When someone steps in to help we call them an upstander.
0:54
If you are an upstander you can make a difference.
0:59
What are some things we could do to be upstanders?
1:02
Hey, I don’t think that’s really cool
1:04
I don’t think that’s a good idea
1:06
Put yourself in her shoes. What do you think she’s going through?
1:08
And the word for that is empathy. Developing empathy is the key to building a safer community.
1:15
[‘Cuz I’m gonna stand by you. Even if we’re breaking down we can find a way to break through…]
1:22
One way to become an upstander is to contact Safe 2 Tell, an anonymous tip line.
1:26
This is a great way that you can prevent violence when you see it.
1:31
[I’m gonna stand by you. Even if we’re breaking down, we can find a way to break through]
1:37
[Even if we can’t find heaven… Love, you’re not alone.]
1:42
[Cuz I’m gonna stand by you.]
1:47
Stand up for each other.
1:49
We could choose to help.
1:50
Call Safe 2 Tell.
1:51
You could save a life.
1:52
Don’t be afraid to get help.
1:54
You can make a difference.
1:56
[‘Cuz I’m gonna stand by you. Love you’re not alone, I’m gonna stand by you.]
2:04
This video was made in conjunction with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, and the CU Boulder Office for Outreach and Engagement.
2:08
Safe 2 Tell Colorado. Video by Landlocked Films. “Stand By You” sung by Rachel Platten. Written by Matthew Morris, Rachel Platten, Jack Antonoff, and Joy Williams. BMG Platinum.
2:12
The Shakespeare and Violence Prevention Program website: www.coloradoshakes.org. Safe 2 Tell website and phone number: www.safe2tell.org (877)542-7233