A play by Alan Gotlib
Music by Alice Brass
Study Guide by Alan Gotlib & Brenda Hall

Reviews from Educators

A very relevant play for young audiences because it addresses the universal, timeless problem of bullying. The play effectively integrates music, dance, drama and visual arts in a most enjoyable, entertaining way. Through the arts, the play deepens children's understanding of dealing with bullies and feelings of being bullied. The activities suggested in the teacher's guide highlight how the arts can be used to help children work through the many facets of an issue that is important to the well-being of themselves and their friends.

Barbara Soren, Ph.D., educator
Coordinator of The Ontario Arts Education Institute
Toronto, Ontario

This play is definitely a worthwhile production for a school to pursue - it certainly fits in with the direction we are going in as a system in addressing the area of developing kids' social skills. It could serve as a springboard or as a culminating activity for a school which has chosen "anti-bullying" as a school-wide focus.

Helen Dewling, principal
Steelesview Elementary School, North York, Ontario

This year my Grade 5/6 class put on "B" is for Bully. It was a huge success, not only with the rest of the school but also with the parents. Drama is a fabulous venue for bringing out talents, characteristics and personalities that might never surface in a classroom setting. The activities were also well-received by the staff and children. The topic of bullying was discussed at all levels. Two months later, the children were still singing the songs.

Margaret McGregor, teacher, Manordale Public School, Nepean, Ontario

This spring, the Grade 6 students of Manordale P.S. presented your astounding play "B" is for Bully. The audience, from kindergarten students to grandparents, were enthralled.
The message was simple: children can stand up to bullies and can create their own safe and supportive environment. The music was demanding but effective. The costumes were simple, colourful and dramatic. Bullying has been a problem in our school and we have been trying to find solutions to it in many different ways. Seeing this play, and discussing it in class using the teacher's guide, was one of the most effective ways we had of dealing with the problem this year.
Thank you for giving us the vehicle of music and acting to help us give our students the skills they need to deal with this very real problem. It was a real success.

Judith Hoye, principal
Manordale Public School, Nepean, Ontario


Reviews from Audience Members

As a parent, I found the play "B" is for Bully was a great jumping-off point for a lively discussion of bullies. My children had plenty of sympathy for the victims, but the insights the play offered as to why someone would decide to be a bully were obviously new ones for them to consider. I was delighted that they had the opportunity to be involved in a theatrical production. I was even more pleased that it was a play of such quality. "B" is for Bully gets an A+ from me!

Margaret Elson, parent, Nepean, Ontario

Thank you for coming to our school to present the play "B" is for Bully. I really enjoyed the songs. The play was funny with your costumes too. Costumes were good. I think the play is important because we learned that bullies are not your friend and you should walk away from them. The play was fantastic. Thank you for coming to C.H. Best.

Nomi Ohayon, student
C.H. Best Elementary School, North York, Ontario

As you are well aware Mme. McGregor, of Manordale Public School in Nepean, Ontario had her class put on the play "B" is for Bully, for other classes in the school, as well as, for parents and siblings of her pupils. My family had the benefit of not only seeing what I would suggest is a wonderful play, but we also had the pleasure of seeing an amazingly great performance by Mme. McGregor's grade 5 and 6 students.
First I would like to say that "B" is for Bully is not only the title of the play, but B also stands for Bravo. This play had a story line which from my perspective was easily communicated and consequently easily understood, yet at the same time it was also captivating enough to keep the attention of the older adults in the audience. Our younger daughter, a grade 3 student in the school, was mesmerized throughout the performance. This alone would suggest the play was entertaining but more importantly however, was the fact that she easily understood the messages being conveyed by the play. We sat captivated by the incredible story line, the great performance and by the enthusiasm of those performing.
To this day my daughter and her friends walk around their school and are recognized by their characters in the play. Obviously students got the message.

Lyn Lubelski, parent, Nepean, Ontario