Producer Mandy Tulloch knows the value of a sequel - she also understand how much students need guidance in social media.
To that end, the cast of characters from the successful Bullying Games, some prickly and other lovable, will be back in a new production that delves further into issues facing kids today and the role that social media plays.
The Social Media Connection will be raising important issues and offering tips for navigating the world of Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram to kids from Grade 1 to 12 at Evergreen Cultural Centre, Oct.1-5 and Oct. 10. The public is also invited to Friday and Saturday night performances.
As with The Bullying Games, the Social Media Connection will be a fast-paced production with singing, dancing, martial arts as well as acting. It takes place in the future and the audience will find out what happened to Jakus 12 (spoiler alert: he meets Janus 12), and other characters from the original production that starred several School District 43 students.
This year's production features a cast of 30 young people, and Tulloch said, the goal of the play is to teach social media responsibility and the consequences of thoughtless or harmful social media postings.
"I think we've got enough messages in there to at least get children to think," said Tulloch, who wrote the play to continue the good work from The Bullying Games and at the request of many people who wanted to see more on this topic for young people.
Last years' Bullying Games production was initiated by Terry Fox students and the story was based on interviews with School District 43 students. Tulloch said it touched a chord and she wanted to do more. However, she's sensitive to the fact that the last night of the production takes place on Oct. 10, the one year anniversary of the suicide death of Port Coquitlam teen Amanda Todd, who was taunted and bullied online and in person.
Tulloch said the date was when the Evergreen Cultural Centre was available and is also World Mental Health Day. Carol Todd, Amanda's mother, will be attending as a guest and the theme of the evening will be about mental health for children and social media safety.
"Our children are out there and vulnerable. Social media isn't a bad thing, the children just need to learn how to use it properly," she said.
School shows are available Oct 1 - 4 at 9:30 a.m. and noon with tickets at $10 for the students. Public shows run Friday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct 5 at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., as well as Thursday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $14 and $18 with a family four pack at $54.
Contact: Mandy Tulloch, managing artistic director ABC Let's Act for tickets 604-505-4576 or email [email protected]
