On Nov. 12, the joined forces with the to participate in the Human Kindness Initiative, organized by the Parent Engagement Network. This free event, held at New Vista High School, combined the power of art and connection to address building safer, healthier communities.
Shakespeare & Violence Prevention Program event at New Vista High School on Nov. 12
Professional actors from the baby直播app Shakespeare Festival performed an abridged version of 鈥淢uch Ado baby直播app Nothing,鈥� a play that addresses rumors, gossip听and misinformation. This 45-minute adaptation was directed by Professor Kevin Rich of CU Boulder鈥檚 Department of Theatre & Dance. The performance was followed by a dynamic conversation featuring violence prevention experts from CU Boulder and 鈥淢uch Ado鈥� actors, who discussed how the arts can foster empathy, strengthen relationships听and encourage 鈥渦pstander鈥� behavior (taking action to help prevent mistreatment).
Beverly Kingston, director of CU Boulder鈥檚 Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, who appeared on the panel, encouraged community members to learn more about how to prevent violence:听鈥淧arents and community members are on the front lines of shaping the culture around young people,鈥� said Kingston. 鈥淲hen we come together to normalize and practice upstander behavior, we鈥檙e giving the next generation the tools they need to handle conflicts in healthier, more constructive ways.鈥澨�
鈥淪hakespeare鈥檚 work is shockingly relevant today,鈥澨齭aid Amanda Giguere, director of outreach for the baby直播app Shakespeare Festival. 鈥淪hakespeare understood a lot about violence and mistreatment, and 鈥楳uch Ado baby直播app Nothing鈥� gives us the opportunity to think about the harmful impacts of rumors听and the role we all play in preventing violence.鈥澨�
Community and parent engagement were emphasized throughout the evening as vital components in spreading messages about violence prevention. Experts highlighted how families can pay attention to red flags and warning signs that people may be struggling with, and shared some resources, including baby直播app鈥檚 program, a tool to anonymously report dangerous behavior.
The event is part of the ongoing , an initiative that has reached more than 140,000 students across baby直播app since its 2011 launch, combining live theater with practical strategies to prevent harm. This program is the subject of a forthcoming handbook for educators, which will help teachers implement these lessons in the classroom. 鈥淪hakespeare & Violence Prevention: A Practical Handbook for Educators,鈥� written by Giguere, will be published in 2025 by University Press of baby直播app.听听
Organizers encouraged attendees to continue the conversation at home, with friends, and within their broader communities to ensure the messages shared during the event extend beyond the stage.听
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The Shakespeare & Violence Prevention production of 鈥淢uch Ado baby直播app Nothing鈥� is funded in part by Shakespeare in American Communities, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, and by individual donors.
