By Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils

Triumph Over Bullying, Depression, Suicide

Roseneath Theatre’s OUTSIDE Touring with OSAC

Feb 26, 2020 | 9:06 AM

Roseneath Theatre – “Outside” (ON) for Grades 7-12 audiences will be touring March 2-March 9 with OSAC’s Performing Arts in Schools Program

www.roseneath.ca

Outside is the story of Daniel, a teen who triumphs over homophobic bullying, depression, and suicide. During a meeting of the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) at his new school, Daniel shares his story. Meanwhile, at his old school, struggling to come to terms with what happened, his friends Krystina and Jeremy attempt to start their own GSA. Using flashbacks, we travel through Daniel’s harrowing experience of bullying that began with a taunt and a text message and eventually led to a serious physical assault.

Direct link to the updated Outside study guide: http://app.roseneath.ca/show/outside?education_level=1

Roseneath theatre promo clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lizisLa2VuQ

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‘Outside’ promo clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41pHzaySJbs&feature=youtu.be

Curriculum Connections: Social Studies & the Humanities, Physical and Health Education, Equity and Inclusive Education, Drama

Themes: Homophobia, Gay Straight Alliances, Bullying/Cyberbullying, Mental Health/Teen Suicide

Touring since 1983, Roseneath Theatre is one of Canada’s leading producers of award-winning theatre for children and their families. Our plays address issues that resonate with today’s youth, encouraging them to reflect on themselves and their place within the community. Always entertaining and imaginative, our productions have been engaging youth in meaningful dialogue, and key social justice and equity concepts for over thirty years. Our professional Canadian artists are encouraged to re-examine the field, infusing the sophisticated subject matter of our shows with some of the magic of childhood. Roseneath gives up to 300 performances per year to approximately 100,000 young people, making them the largest professional touring company in Ontario.

Testimonials:

“Our school really benefitted from this production. It may take some time to see the effects on our students in our building, but it has promoted so many positive messages about inclusion and responsibility to our own actions that we will probably never see the many ways this will ripple into our students’ (and staff’s) lives…the students were attentive and interested. I think everyone in the audience, adults included, could see themselves as one or more of those characters. I think they were excited to have the opportunity to learn and think about this issue openly.” – Holy Trinity Catholic High School, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board

“Every young person deserves to feel safe at school. Sadly, this is not always the case for our LGBTQ youth, many of whom endure hateful comments and abuse. Outside uses the power of theatre to illustrate the devastating impact of homophobic bullying. Every student and teacher should see it.” Jill Holroyd, Toronto PFLAG

“The issue of suicide and depression is one that we have come to know very personally in our community. I thought that the difficult subject of suicide and bullying was handled in a realistic and yet sensitive, compassionate way…your actors are astonishing in their ability to respond to young people in a meaningful and respectful way. The dialogue was outstanding from both audience and actors.” – Glenview Senior Public School, Toronto

“This is what our kids need! Lecturing them on rules and issues in the abstract has little impact – but this play made the issues real. In that hour, our audience invested in three new friends in the characters on stage, and then experienced their struggles with them. It was powerful. I wish we could have this production back every two years.” –Valley Park Middle School, Toronto District School Board

“The professionalism and passion of the actors along with the outstanding set design keep the students focused and engaged. Their attentiveness to the play allowed them to really think about the issues and gave them the confidence to discuss them.” – Principal, Toronto District School Board

“I have never seen my kids so engaged and the questions they had for me when they came back to class were very meaningful and deep.” – Valley Park Middle School, Toronto

“The performances were excellent. The script did a good job of talking about issues without being ‘preachy’ or too heavy-handed. I especially liked the element of the by-stander character, who expressed what I think a lot of students feel about bullying – they aren’t participating, but they aren’t exactly stopping it either.” – Scarlett Heights Academy, Toronto.

“Already, kids are approaching me and saying how much they like the play and unexpected students are initiating respectful dialogue about the content.” – L’Amoreux Collegiate Institute, Toronto

OSAC celebrated 50 years as an organization in 2018, and has nurtured the traditions of presenting excellence in the performing arts for adults, children and family audiences in various genres and disciplines. OSAC annually presents over 300 live community and school performances, attended by a total audience of approximately 75,000. This is possible because of a dedicated network of volunteers committed to making culture an integral part of Saskatchewan community life, and vital funding from Saskatchewan Lotteries, Saskatchewan Arts Board, and Canadian Heritage. Saskatchewan Lotteries benefits more than 12,000 sport, culture, and recreation organizations around the province. Each year 600,000 people participate in programs and from activities initiated by these organizations, over $1 billion of economic activity is generated, and 23,000 jobs are sustained.

Please refer to the tour schedule below for performance times and locations. Please check with OSAC and the school contact for verification, and inform them of performances you plan to attend.

Monday, March 02, 2020, 2:10 pm, Mr. Darcy Howe, Gordon F. Kells High School, 515 5th Street East, Carlyle, SK, S0C 0R0, Phone (306) 453-2500, email: darcy.howe@secpsd.ca

Tuesday, March 03, 2020, 10:00 am, Fallon Prince, Langenburg Central School, 611 1st Street North, Langenburg, SK S0A 2A0, Phone: (306) 743-2631, Email: fallon.prince@gssd.ca

Wednesday, March 04, 2020, 10:00 am, Debbie Peterson, Grenfell High Community School, 1000 Grey Avenue, Grenfell, SK S0G 2B0, Phone: (306) 697-2744, Email: debbie.peterson@pvsd.ca

Thursday, March 05, 2020, 10:30 am, 1:30 and 6:00 pm, Moose Jaw Cultural Centre, 217 Main Street North, Moose Jaw, SK

Contact: Brenda Zinn, Prairie South School Division #210, 15 Thatcher Drive East, Moose Jaw, SK S6J 1L8, Email: zinn.brenda@prairiesouth.ca

Friday, March 06, 2020, 6:00 pm, Moose Jaw Cultural Centre, 217 Main Street North, Moose Jaw, SK

Contact: Brenda Zinn, Prairie South School Division #210, 15 Thatcher Drive East, Moose Jaw, SK S6J 1L8, Email: zinn.brenda@prairiesouth.ca

Monday, March 09, 2020, 10:00 am, Charlene Hudson, Se-Se-Wa-Hum High School, Victoire, SK S0J 2X0, Phone: (306) 724-2124, chudson@sasktel.net