Theatre Cedar Rapids opens ‘The Bully Plays’ tonight

CEDAR RAPIDS - In running through the first reading, many involved in the cast of 'The Bully Plays” didn't realize some actions were considered bullying.

Some of them found themselves thinking, 'I thought that was just a joke” or that it was 'just funny,” said Amanda Mayfield, who makes her Theatre Cedar Rapids directing debut with the show, which displays bullying through the perspective of the bully, bullied and bystander.

The first performance is at 7:30 p.m. today.

'By presenting this piece, it allows a dialogue to start about how (bullying is) happening in our schools and workplaces,” said Mayfield, adding she hopes the show raises further awareness to the issue in ways perhaps not recognized before.

Presented as part of the Grandon Studio Series at Theatre Cedar Rapids, 102 Third St. SE, 'The Bully Plays” runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through June 17.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Tickets are available online at theatrecr.org or at the box office and are $24 for adults and $18 for students.

Originally an anthology of 24 10-minute scenes written by different playwrights, 'The Bully Plays” was curated by Mayfield down to 10 scenes that focus largely on the rise of technology and cyberbullying, something she feels is more prominent today.

With a core cast of 12 and three guest actors, the scenes in the play were arranged by theme, Mayfield purposefully placing heavier scenes close to more lighthearted scenes so the audience can better digest the content.

Rated PG-13, Mayfield said she encourages students in middle school and up to attend the play, along with adults.

And as for turnout, she said as long as 'The Bully Plays” gets people talking, then the cast has done its job well.

'For all of us (on the cast and crew,) I think we are very aware of bullying now and our actions and the words we choose to say,” Mayfield said. 'A couple lines repeated throughout the pieces talk about how words matter.”

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