Exciting news — “Stand Up & Speak Out!”, the anti-bullying musical created by Emmy-nominated composer, Jill Nesi, is set for an extended run. After its successful debut last October, the musical will return to once again delight audiences at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Connecticut — as has been recently hinted on the musical’s official Instagram account. “Stand Up & Speak Out!” tells a “full-circle” story of bullying from multiple perspectives, including the person bullied and the bully. At its core, the musical promotes a healing message of empathy and understanding in an effort to help put an end to the country’s bullying epidemic.

A new perspective on bullying 

The musical is suitable for students in third grade and up, although it’s primarily aimed at middle school students (between 11-14 years olds) — which is the age group most affected by bullying. Although bullying unfortunately is still prevalent in high school and beyond, children are less likely to experience this sort of abuse the older they get. Middle school age is therefore the perfect time for children to see the musical and gain a fresh perspective on bullying. They’re also ultimately encouraged to rethink their actions in everyday life. In fact, after the musical’s first run, children, including those who had previously bullied others, left the theater empowered to make positive changes in how they treat others.

The musical also lets students know that no matter what they may be going through, they never need to feel alone. Any child currently affected by bullying should confide in a trusted adult, particularly if they feel like they want to harm themselves. This message is so important as just over 50% of students being bullied actually tell an adult about it.

Empathy to end bullying

After students saw “Stand Up & Speak Out!” last year, teachers said they consequently had better conversations with students on the importance of empathy and the need to treat others with respect and kindness. Empathy — the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and understand how they feel — is a vital social-emotional skill everyone needs to cultivate to help stop bullying and form healthier relationships based on mutual respect. Recent research shows that young people with the ability to easily empathize with others are usually more likely to come to the defense of those being bullied, whereas those with low levels of empathy tend to either be bullies or silent bystanders. The musical provides teachers, therapists, and guidance counselors with a mutual basis to launch important empathy-based conversations with students and families on the topic of bullying.

More family fun in Old Saybrook

Although dates have yet to be announced, “Stand Up & Speak Out!” will be shown at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (known as the Kate) in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. As you can guess, the performing arts center is named after the iconic Hollywood actress who considered Old Saybrook her one true home. If you have some free time before or after the musical and want to make a day of it, Old Saybrook offers numerous other family-friendly activities for you to enjoy. For example, the Kate often hosts education programs for children that feature a mix of art, music, theater, and dance to help students develop their creative potential.

Alternatively, Saybrook Point Resort & Marina is another popular attraction for families. You don’t have to book a stay at the resort to explore the beautiful marina and enjoy the beautiful ocean views. Ospreys, bald eagles, herons, and Canadian geese are just some of the wonderful bird species you can see from the boardwalk. And, if you’re lucky, you’ll also spot dolphins and seals. Watching wildlife in their natural habitat can also help children develop greater respect and appreciation for all living things. This is another way children can develop empathy, and lays the groundwork for them to develop healthier, compassion-based relationships with their peers.

A musical on a mission to end bullying, “Stand Up & Speak Out!” is a must-watch for students of all ages. Its message of empathy is a powerful one, which leaves a permanent impression on viewers. Stay tuned for further updates.