Kickstarter

ABOUT THE PROJECT
In 2011, Concrete Temple Theatre was commissioned by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation to adapt James Preller's young adult novel, Bystander, a staple in middle school English classrooms as well a 2009 Junior Library Guild Selection. The result was THE BYSTANDER PROJECT, a 50-minute multi-media play featuring professional actors, shadow puppets, original music, and projections. A truly immersive experience for young audiences, the play also features roles for student performers, an interactive website, blog for student feedback and comments, and supporting workshops. These workshops challenge students to explore the problem of bullying.

“After 44 years of being an educator at arts-centered public schools, it is clear to me that Concrete Temple Theatre stands out from the rest of collaborative organizations that I have worked with because of their attention to the needs of the community they are working with.”
Jeffrey Levitsky,
Arts Education Consultant,
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

WHY WE NEED HELP
Concrete Temple Theatre has been invited to perform THE BYSTANDER PROJECT in schools throughout the tri-state New York region. Many of the schools have limited resources and cannot afford the production. Other schools have to cut back on elements of the program to make it affordable. Concrete Temple Theatre would like to be able to subsidize THE BYSTANDER PROJECT performances for schools whose students have limited exposure to the performing arts. 

“I loved being onstage with the professional actors. It [THE BYSTANDER PROJECT] taught me not to be afraid to talk to someone if you are in trouble and not to do mean things to people. Don’t be like Mary or Griffin; you have to stand up for people.”

Ireland
Student,
Germantown Central School

WHAT THE MONEY WILL DO
$3000 would make it possible for us to perform THE BYSTANDER PROJECT or lead workshops at two (2) schools that otherwise could not have us visit.  Any funds over $3000 would mean we can serve even more schools.

"The Bystander Project offers a creative and vivid way of opening the complex issues surrounding bullies, those who are accomplices, those who are victims and those who are bystanders. The Bystander Project gives students and teachers alike, a way into the issues of bullying that is accessible and real…and what’s more important, a positive way to address it.”

Jennifer Dowley,
President,
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation