A theatre play that focuses on homophobia and bullying is attempting to communicate to students that their words can harm other youths and even lead to self-harm and suicide.
“Outside” is a drama produced by Ontario-based Roseneath Theatre and sponsored by the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC). The production is travelling through the province from March 2 to 9, with four shows in Moose Jaw from March 5 and 6. Students from throughout Prairie South School Division were bussed in to attend the show.
The play focuses on Daniel, a teen who triumphs over homophobic bullying, depression and suicide. The teen shares his story during a meeting of a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) at his new school. Meanwhile, at his old school, Daniel’s two friends attempt to start their own GSA while struggling with what happened to their friend.
Using flashbacks, viewers travel through Daniel’s experience of bullying that began with a taunt and a text message, and eventually, led to a physical assault.
“All too often, we see people posting things on people’s timelines (and) making memes about other people, and I don’t think that a lot of us understand the implications or impact that can have on someone else,” said Andrew Lamb, play director and artistic director for Roseneath.
By seeing the bullying, name-calling, and fact that Daniel’s situation doesn’t improve even with support, Lamb hoped students realize that situations might not improve right away or even while in school. While they may continue to face challenges, they should understand there is help in the community — whether speaking with a trusted adult or peer — or even by calling the Kids’ Help Phone.
“Outside” has toured Ontario since 2015 and visited more than 150 schools, but this is the first year it has visited Saskatchewan.
Daniel’s story is likely something with which many students are familiar, since he is bullied in person, online, and by text for being different, said Lamb. The production shows the emotional damage this causes the teen and how it affects his mental health. However, viewers are also able to see the effort to create a GSA at Daniel’s former school.
“There’s been a movement for Gay-Straight Alliance clubs in middle schools and high schools across Canada for better part of a decade now,” Lamb continued. “These create safe spaces (not only) for queer kids, but for allies to say to those queer kids, ‘We support you; we won’t be bystanders; we’ll speak up when we see you being bullied for this reason because we want our school to be a safe space.’”
Playwright Paul Dunn created the play around 2011 when news reports said some youths were depressed and attempting suicide. He saw the need to address this issue and created “Outside.” While it is not based on a true story, it does have elements of real life.
Lamb thought an interesting part of the play is seeing the trajectory Daniel’s character takes and how the actors take the idea of depression as far as possible. At the end of the performance, Daniel admits it was wrong to hurt himself.
After the show finishes, the actors speak with the audience and have a conversation about mental wellness and other topics. The Kids’ Help Phone is promoted as a helpful tool for students to use; it has begun communicating with youths through text messages.
“It has been a show I’ve always thought that it might fall out of our rotation, but due to demand, we’ve had to tour this pretty much every season since it started,” Lamb added, “so it’s become one of our staple productions that we have on the road every season.”
