By Saira Toppin
Want to support our young people and help promote a safer society? Want to learn more about bullying and the effect it has on our teens? There is a new show ready to support these desires. Attend a performance and get armed with the knowledge needed to help students in schools throughout the city and nation. Outwordly Fabolous was written by award winning spoken word artist Pandora Scooter and directed by Cedric Hill.
This new show was inspired by Pandora Scooter’s daughter. Scooter’s daughter kept coming home in tears after being bullied by her peers because Scooter is a lesbian and they thought she was different or weird. Scooter knew she had to do something about this situation; she could not bear to see her child suffer. She figured putting together a piece that would speak on bullying and the underlying homophobia that often accompanies it would be perfect. The suicide death of Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi added fuel to the fire.
Director Cedric Hill says, “The show was designed to speak directly to teenagers, young adults and everyone who interacts with them—parents, teachers, principals, and school counselors. It’s an inside look at what goes on in the school yard. We want the show to lend a voice to countless students who suffer from bullying, while exploring some of the deep rooted issues associated with it, like homophobia.”
Get out, see the show, share your feelings with others and one day our sons and daughters will be able to come home happy and not in fear of others just because their home life/personal life does not fit the norm, whatever that word means.
Outwordly Fabulous will be performed at the Crossroads Theatre, located at 7 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick in New Jersey on Thursday March 10 at 3:15pm and 8:00pm and on Friday March 11 at 11:00am and 8:00pm. A pre-show reception replete with wine and hors d’oeuvres will be held at the theater on Friday March 11 from 6:00pm-7:30pm. Ticket prices for both matinees are $15 ($10 for students). Evening performances cost $25 ($20 for seniors; $15 for students). Tickets to the pre-show reception and performance cost $45. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.SmartTix.com or at the door the day of each performance.