"Bullying is often the number one non-academic issue that many educators face" (www.bullyingcourse.com)


Thank you for accessing the routestheplay.com website. We hope that the materials on this page will be helpful to you as you continue to discuss Routes with your students and colleagues. 


Students from George McDougall High School in Airdrie with an Anti-Violence banner signed by all students after having Routes at the school in November 2009. Photo by Gabriel Tou, click to view larger.

A few things to think about:
Theatre is unique because it connects with audiences in an emotional and experiential way as well as in an intellectual one.   Because of this, students and adult audiences that see the show may have emotional responses to the play.  They may be triggered to remember incidents like the ones portrayed in the production that they have experienced in their own lives, or they may want to talk with someone about acts of violence that they are either observing or experiencing right now.  Others may be moved to want to take action to address issues like bullying within your school environment. All these reactions are normal and can be supported by caring individuals like yourself. 

Empathy and Learning through the experience of others:
Routes explores issues of bullying and family violence through one teenage boy's perspective. Through the character of Tom, students experience his journey as an observer to violence in his home, at his school and within the larger community, the toll it takes on him emotionally and his eventual decision to make change in his life.  The proxy character of Tom and his story, allows students to walk in the shoes of someone who is struggling with violence in their lives and understand what it might feel like to be the victim of violence.  This empathy is key.  Studies show that "Developing empathy is a core element to changing bullying behaviour"(Alberta Children and Youth Services). We hope that this play will foster young audiences in further developing understanding and empathy towards others.

Plays like Routes can also help young people feel connected and understood in a non-judgemental manner. The play demonstrates that the same individual can exhibit bullying behaviour, be victimized by bullying behaviour, or witness bullying incidents depending on the setting and the stage of life they are in.  It also helps model that no young person should bear the burden of violence on their own. While young people may feel helpless, they need to be taught that change is possible and encouraged to reach out and ask for help. And that there are many things a caring and supportive community can do to assist them.

Routes is a great opportunity for teachers and parents to have follow up discussions about the issues in the play, and for educators to take the opportunity to do further exercises and activities with their students.  Please take a look at our Teacher's Guide which provides discussion topics, exercises and further resources that may help young people find solutions to violence and ways they can live in a safer and healthier environment.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ROUTES TEACHER PACKAGE

We hope through watching the play and participating in follow up activities, audiences will be more aware of bullying, family violence and acts of public violence and feel empowered and supported to seek help if needed.  We hope audiences will take away a new understanding of these issues and be more likely to treat others with respect, and more likely to take appropriate action when witnessing incidents of bullying or family violence.

 

Photo by Gabriel Tou, click to view larger.