In September 2017, Coachella Valley Repertory’s Youth Outreach Production was taken on the road bringing the highly-acclaimed play “BULLY: It’s The Fight of His Life” directly to the stages of middle schools from Salton Sea to Desert Hot Springs and everywhere in between.
By CVRep launching its first local tour, we are able to reach approximately 4,500 young people in a two-week period.
BULLY: It’s The Fight of His Life written and performed by Lee J. Kaplan is an autobiographical solo show inspired by his sixth grade journal entries, which detail the verbal, physical and emotional abuse he endured at that age. Kaplan plays multiple characters during the show, including teachers, classmates and other figures from his youth. It is the fight of his life: a story about finding the will and a way to finally stand up to the bullies. In addition to shining a light into what it’s like to be on the receiving end of relentless bullying as a child, the play also examines the long-lasting effects of bullying into adulthood and how it affects the victim many years after the original attacks.
The play ran for two weeks, September 18th through the 29th, with two public performances on Saturday, September 23rd. The public performances were free for all children and teens, 17 and under.
At the end of each performance, we conduct a Q & A where the audience can ask questions about what they experienced and discuss what they did and did not understand. This opens up a dialogue to continuing the conversation long after leaving the theatre.
This marked CVRep’s ninth Youth Outreach Production. To date, more than 15,000 young people have had the opportunity to see age appropriate theater productions free of charge. Culturally relevant and topically sensitive works are intentionally selected.
BULLY: It’s The Fight of His Life
Written & Performed by Lee J. Kaplan
Directed by Padraic Lillis
CVRep’s Annual Youth Outreach Production is generously sponsored by Patty & Arthur Newman / Newman’s Own Foundation, and Barbara Fremont / The Fremont Foundation.
