Listen to a sample music cue.
BEFORE THE BELL
Story by Kerry Kazmierowicztrimm & Denver Casado
Script by Kerry Kazmierowicztrimm
Our goal for Before the Bell was to create an engaging, authentic play about bullying that would start a real conversation.
The story takes place during one 20-minute period before school. During this time, a web of connected events leads to rising tension in which two bullies confront and physically assault another student. We witness this from the victim’s point-of-view.
Suddenly, time stops and restarts. We then see this same 20-minute period take place once again – but this time from the perspective of one of the bullies.
Then, the story restarts yet again, and we see this same 20-minute period occur for a third and final time – this time from the perspective of the other bully.
Through this shift in perspective, we’re able to witness all the complex and interconnected factors that can lead to violence in school.
We also witness the integral role bystanders play in these situations.
For full disclosure, the content of this play will not be appropriate for every school or community environment. At it’s core Before the Bell is a story about empathy, however, it touches upon modern day issues such as absent parents, homosexuality and domestic abuse.
This is why we felt it was important to pair this play with a helpful resource guide that provides teachers and directors with a comprehensive toolkit for exploring these issues. The Before the Bell Resource Guide, included with every purchase, contains 40 pages of meaningful and engaging activities for processing the themes of the play and continuing the conversation.
Before the Bell is available in two formats:
1) A Classroom Kit with all the tools you need to explore the play in a classroom setting.
2) A Production Kit with everything you need to mount the show onstage.
Click the “Classroom Kit” and “Production Kit” tabs above to learn about pricing and what materials come with each kit.
Austin W. – Black Water Middle School –
I have just finished reading the ePerusal of “Before the Bell” and I am simply touched. I love the story and especially love how it tells the story from each of the “major” characters points of view. I think it’s as equally important to see where the bully is coming from as it is to see the victim’s point of view.
I will be sharing this piece with my principal and look forward to the possibility of putting it up on stage or, at least, using it as a powerful teaching tool for my middle school community!