PTC instructor uses theater to share anti-bullying message with teens

(KATV, Source Pulaski Tech) North Little Rock - Pulaski Technical College theater instructor April Gentry-Sutterfield has developed an interactive-anti-bullying presentation called "Choosing Sides," that she will share with seventh-graders at Horace Mann Arts & Science Magnet Middle School in Little Rock.

The 50-minute piece will be presented to seventh-graders on Oct. 31, Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. About half the school's seventh-graders will see the play this week, and the other half will see it during spring performances scheduled for May 2-4. The piece explores the ways in which people bully and what true friendship means.

"We look at how it feels to be bullied, why we bully and different types of bullying," said Gentry-Sutterfield. "We also look at solutions for bullying, which involves creating a positive peer group. We have scenes, and then we stop the scenes and have interactive exercises with them to discuss."

Two local actors will assist Gentry-Sutterfield: Christopher Straw, a former Pulaski Tech student, and Stephanie Ong.

Pulaski Tech received support for the project from the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, and from a Target store grant.

* For more on Pulaski Technical College theater instructor April Gentry-Sutterfield's projects, click on the link under the picture.