Youth want and need support, tools, guidance, and help in not just surviving, but thriving. Add Verb Productions Make It Stop! Youth Action Kit puts all the tools for presenting an entertaining and engaging issue-based play and spearheading discussion and community action right in their hands. Perfect for a wide range of audiences -- peer education, mentoring for younger students, and educating parents and adults about youth reality. For the actors as well as the audience, the play is a rehearsal for doing the right thing in life.

From name-calling to gun violence, girl fighting to gay bashing, from cyberbullying to the problem of adult denial, Make It Stop! explores bullying and harassment in many forms -- capturing the pain of these issues while encouraging prevention, action and empathy.

The play models asking for help, listening, and self-awareness It calls upon audience members to resist "normalizing" bullying and harassment as just one of those things youth have to deal with in growing up. It never blames victims but does draw attention to the use of personal power to make oneself more resistant to bullying behaviors. Performed in context with community discussions, action steps, and other strategies, Make It Stop! positions actors and audience to start asking "So what do we do now?" and envision what effective action and change might look like.

INSIDE THE KIT:

• an accessible and engaging script to perform, flexible in length, cast size, and types of venues;
• a how-to guide covering the basics of presenting a play, troubleshooting, and guidance on all aspects of production;
• simple props;
• handouts and activities for the audience;
• assessment tools for high school presenters, audience, and adults who are facilitating the work;
• supplemental curriculum and future-action steps.

"When there's an oppressive presence in the school, the kids go underground. Students get trapped in a cycle of being victims, being quiet, not speaking up. This project helps encourage them to step out of that role."
Marcia Pitcher, teacher, Massabesic High School

"Rehearsing the opening sequence strengthened our group and opened up discussion about issues we face every day. We chose to perform the skits that talked about the bullying issues that go on in our school. They're fun, entertaining and informative for the audience, and we learn the lessons in the play through performing them."
Anonymous student

Online ordering coming soon! Click here to download the order form or contact Add Verb Productions to order by phone.