Taproot Theatre brings a new production to Shoreline classrooms to help prevent bullying

On Wednesday, September 14, students at Brookside Elementary School in Lake Forest Park saw Taproot Theatre's touring company's new production of Allies from Outer Space.

Taproot's innovative shows confront issues of diversity and bullying prevention, and provide resources which encourage conversation amongst students and adults alike.  Students learn how to "recognize, refuse, and report" bullying, how to be an ally, and how to initiate friendship.

The government organization Stop Bullying Now! reports that as many as 1 in 4 students have been the target of bullying and 9 out of 10 students report that bullying occurs in their schools.

The Shoreline School District has contracted the TTC Road Company to perform in all fourteen of their elementary and secondary schools in fall 2011.

Allies from Outer Space, By Bethany Wallace, Directed by Nathan Jeffrey, For Grades K-6

Jeepers creepers, the aliens are coming to school, and they never shower! So goes the rumor mill when a Reptai spaceship makes an emergency landing on earth. While waiting for repairs, the Reptai queen on board sends her daughter to the local school to scope out whether the rumors she’s heard are true: that humans are intolerant of differences and use their technology to bully others. Will the students at Galaxia Elementary treat Princess Komodo with respect despite her tail and webbed fingers? Or will their bullying behavior lead the queen to take drastic measures against bullying and wipe out earth’s technology… for good?

Taproot also took this new production to Kings Elementary School on Friday, September 16. At both schools, the cast made classroom visits in addition to the stage production.

On Friday, September 16, they staged Don't Tell Jessica at Shorecrest High School.

Don’t Tell Jessica…, By Josh Hornbeck, Directed by Nathan Jeffrey, For Grades 6-12 

A play about gossip, rumors and cyber-bullying.

It all started with a rumor—or was it the truth? In an age when gossip spreads like wildfire, a seemingly harmless message can destroy friendships, reputations and lives. At Clements High, homecoming is just around the corner and the stakes are high as a group of friends discovers the danger of jealousy when it is wielded like a weapon in e-mails and social networks. The drama will resonate deeply with students, who will see their classmates—and themselves – in the characters played out on stage.

More information about Taproot Theater at their website.