Heads Up on tackling issue of bullying

A drama group will take on the issue of bullying.

Theatre crosses into therapy as students develop a show tackling the issue of bullying head on.

The Drama Workshop recently embarked on Heads Up, a programme involving 14 intermediate pupils from seven schools throughout Hawke's Bay.

Meetings have been held weekly to devise the theatre performance about bullying as well as its causes and effects.

It's a hard-hitting message designed to educate their peers, teachers and parents with the aim of provoking conversations about bullying in our community.

Heads Up is part of a nationwide project Te Punanga Haumaru, which translates to A Safe Haven, funded by the Ministry of Social Development.

Napier Family Centre is also involved and has provided social worker Tracey Kenah to work alongside the theatrical process.

"Tracey is invaluable to the work, supporting the children with any issues that may arise and also providing the facilitators with up-to-date research in the field," drama facilitator Juliet Cottrell said.

Young musician/composer Michael Rowlands, choreographer Champa Maciel, theatre director Peter Cottrell, youth worker Ian Gosling, film-maker and ambulance officer Warren Elliott and student youth worker Jenny Kidd were also helping out behind the scenes.

"We have built a team around this project who truly care about the artistic and social aspects of this work and along with the 14 fantastic kids we are blessed to be working with, this can only result in a very fine and thought provoking piece of theatre."

The show made its debut yesterday and includes a tour of Hawke's Bay schools, including a public performance at the MTG Century Theatre in Napier, from 6pm tomorrow.

-See the show at MTG Century Theatre in Napier tomorrow.

Tickets are $5 on the door.