T-Shirt Theatre Announces Launch Of KIPUKA Anti-Bullying Project

The Alliance for Drama Education's T-Shirt Theatre proudly announces the launch of KIPUKA Anti-Bullying Project, a live performance and video series created to address issues of bullying, cyber-bullying and teen suicide. KIPUKA is a shared message to Hawaii youth about finding and creating safe places where "life can begin again," away from any form of bullying. T-Shirt Theatre received funding from the Gift Foundation of Hawaii and Na Lei Aloha Foundation to focus on helping other teens find their "KIPUKA."

What is KIPUKA? Imagine a fiery volcano filled with hot magma, flowing down a lush hillside, incinerating everything in its path. Lava burns at 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt rock. And yet, an isolated knoll, a ridge or a cleft is surprisingly untouched. A small patch of earth, saved from nature's inferno. That oasis in a lava field, where life can begin again, is called "KIPUKA." When youth are scorched by the effects bullying or feel close to suicidal meltdown, the lifeline is often their connection with loved ones, a friend, or a group within reach that has their back. As T-Shirt Theatre searched for a way to approach the heat of bullying, cyber-bullying and teen suicide, KIPUKA, an "island of life" emerged as the theme - explored by our youth company of thirty-three Farrington High School students.

In addition to producing KIPUKA, support provided by The Gift Foundation of Hawaii and Na Lei Aloha Foundation will allow T-Shirt Theatre to take their stories BEYOND the confines of Kalihi. Over the course of this entire school year, T-Shirt Theatre is producing an episodic video series, capturing storylines introduced in Spring public performances April 5 and 8 at Farrington High School, and later in the year, a neighbor island tour.

"KIPUKA: Anti-Bullying Project II" will be performed at the Farrington High School Auditorium

Thursday, April 5, at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 8, at 4:30 p.m.

Admission is free. Suggested donation of $5 at the door.

You can be a part of this project in many ways:

· Bring a KIPUKA residency to your school

· Host a K?puka Gathering Tour

· Share the KIPUKA video shorts with friends to build awareness about the dangers of bullying

· Find a bullying resource on this page and call for help

For more information on T-Shirt Theatre call George Kon (808) 220-5003 or visit www.rehearseforlife.com.

About T-Shirt Theatre

T-Shirt Theatre is a Community of Practice where young people come together around the practice of dramatic arts. Participants make a commitment to themselves and other company members to engage because they find value in learning, practicing the art, and in the culture of the community. Over the course of being a part of the community, participants experience an arc of development that results in their becoming contributing adult citizens.

School Residencies:

T-Shirt Theater is a Kalihi-based performance group with students from Farrington High School and Kalakaua and Dole Middle Schools.

Our professional artist-educators partner with K-12 schools throughout Hawai'i to stimulate, develop and refine youngsters' cognitive and creative skills by using drama education to achieve DOE standards. Through the use of discussions, demonstrations, and theatre exercises, ADE teaches drama appreciation, respect for self and others, focus, teamwork, and life skills.

Community Engagement Practice:

T-Shirt Theater travels to communities across Hawaii partnering with organizations in performance/discussions that unpack common themes to stimulate multi-generational dialog.

 

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