BULLY! THEATRE FOR WELLBEING PROGRAM
Empowering students to create theatre that changes school culture
Students don’t just watch the message — they help create it.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Bully! Theatre for Wellbeing is a student-led Theatre in Education wellbeing program using drama, storytelling and collaborative theatre-making to explore bullying, identity, inclusion, resilience and peer culture.
Unlike traditional anti-bullying performances where students simply watch a show, this program empowers young people to create their own original theatre works inspired by issues relevant to their school community.
Through guided drama activities, improvisation, ensemble performance and script development, students become creators, collaborators, leaders and advocates for positive school culture.
The program is inspired by Kristen Doherty’s internationally performed Theatre in Education play Bully!, which has been used by multiple schools as part of anti-bullying and student wellbeing initiatives.
PROGRAM THEMES
Workshops may explore themes including:
· Bullying and bystander behaviour
· Cyber bullying and social media
· Peer pressure and exclusion
· Friendship dynamics and “frenemies”
· Racism and discrimination
· Identity and belonging
· Resilience and empathy
· Leadership and positive school culture
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
PHASE 1 — BUILDING TRUST & ENSEMBLE
Students participate in engaging drama games, ensemble-building exercises and guided discussion focused on trust, empathy, respect and collaboration.
PHASE 2 — STORYTELLING & EXPLORATION
Using improvisation and collaborative drama activities, students explore themes and experiences relevant to young people in a safe and respectful environment.
PHASE 3 — DEVISING ORIGINAL THEATRE
Students work in groups to create original scenes, monologues, duologues and ensemble theatre pieces. Kristen supports the development of scripting, structure, staging and dramatic storytelling.
PHASE 4 — PERFORMANCE & PEER IMPACT
Students rehearse and perform their original work for younger year levels or the wider school community, creating meaningful peer-led conversations around wellbeing and inclusion.
This structure creates a powerful “trickle-down” mentoring effect, with older students becoming leaders, role models and advocates for younger students.
WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT?
Unlike traditional touring anti-bullying performances, Bully! Theatre for Wellbeing is:
· Student-led and collaborative
· Focused on student voice and peer leadership
· Built around creativity and authentic storytelling
· Flexible for different year levels and school contexts
· Designed to create long-term culture change rather than one-off conversations
Students don’t just hear the message — they help create it.
IDEAL FOR:
· Student leadership programs
· Wellbeing initiatives
· Drama classes
· Middle School programs
· Upper Primary transition programs
· Arts and wellbeing weeks
· Theatre residencies
· Peer mentoring programs
· Anti-bullying initiatives
Recommended for Years 5–12.
DELIVERY OPTIONS
Programs can be tailored to suit individual schools, year levels, timeframes and budgets.
Options may include:
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Introductory workshops
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Full-day intensives
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Multi-week residencies
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Leadership programs
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Performance development projects
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Teacher collaboration and consultation
Music, multimedia and contemporary theatrical elements may also be integrated throughout the creative process.
ABOUT KRISTEN
Kristen Doherty is an internationally produced Australian playwright, director and drama educator specialising in theatre for young people.
Over the past four years, more than 600 productions of her plays have taken place across five continents and every Australian state.
Kristen has more than twenty years’ experience in Drama education and has directed over 100 productions. She has presented workshops and professional learning sessions at:
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Drama Victoria Conference
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Drama NSW State Conference
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Drama Australia National Conference
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Drama SA Professional Development Programs
Her plays are published with:
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Australian Plays Transform
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Stage Partners (USA)
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YouthPLAYS (USA)
