Drama students from South Essex College’s Southend Campus have produced performances to raise awareness of cyberbullying.
The actors, who are studying Level 3 Diploma Performing Arts (Acting), have worked in groups to each produce 10 minute performances.
The students presented their ideas to officials from the police and council this week before they head into local schools to spread the message in the new year.
It is all part of a collaborative project which was set up eight years ago by South Essex College tutor Sarah Doney, Margaret Evans and Lisa Holloway from Southend Council and PC Gary Collard.
The project enables acting students to set up a theatre company and devise plays on the dangers of cyberbullying and the effects it has on young children and their families. Each play uses physical theatre and original devised stories to inform children about the risks of cyberbullying and where they can go for support and guidance.
Last year the students performed to more than 5,000 children which received excellent feedback from schools with regards to the quality of the plays and the excellent professional behaviour of the students.
Tutor Sarah Doney said she was extremely proud of the students’ efforts.
She said: “This is an excellent and valuable project that enables students to work as a professional theatre company and perform to young children in local schools. In my professional opinion the work this year is at an excellent standard encompassing physical theatre, story-telling, and script work to educate and entertain a young audience.
“This collaborative project is an excellent partnership which enables professionals to work together and use theatre and performance as a creative tool for education and e-safety.”
In the new year the students will tour their plays in local schools for years five and six pupils.