SAN DIEGO — Blindspot Collective is a small theatre troupe that goes out to area schools with something they call “Forum Theatre.” They came to the Performing Annex in City Heights to present Safa’s Story, a play addressing ethnic bullying.
Creating a fun, playful atmosphere, we walked into “recess” with live music, spinning hula-hoops, a craft table and games like “trashketball” led by bright-eyed young people who reminded me of summer camp counselors. The game I played involved a cube with questions. You throw it in the air, catch it and answer whatever question comes up such as, “What is your most cherished memory?” and “What is your greatest achievement thus far?” The questions tested not our knowledge, but insight and emotional awareness.
Safa is a fifth grader whose family hails from Zimbabwe. She’s precocious, curious, smart and very likable. But there’s a new kid in school, Ryan, who makes Safa the object of his taunts. Ryan isn’t hostile so much as immature. He’s “only joking,” but at Safa’s expense. And when Safa goes to the teacher for support, she’s labeled a “snitch,” which only makes matter worse.
Halfway through the performance, the audience gets to weigh in, changing the outcome of the story by changing the characters choices, even stepping into their roles. We can be Safa, standing up for ourselves, her classmates being better friends or the teacher taking the situation more seriously. The one character we can’t replace is the bully. The only way to change him is to stand up to him.
As theatre, this wouldn’t work for Hamlet. But it’s a very effective teaching tool to foster empathy and a safe learning space. It was the kids in the house, much more than the adults, who were eager to get in on the action. I was quite proud of them as I saw their little hands shoot up in the air as they stepped up to defend the girl and confront the bully.
Safa’s Story reminded me of post-pogrom Jewish immigrants in the early 20th century. Displaced and disoriented, we weren’t “real Americans.” We had accents and Yiddishisms. Our holidays were different. Our diets were more restrictive. Our Ashkenazi names sounded funny, so many were changed in order to assimilate. We could learn to play baseball and shave our beards, but we could never change the core of who we were.
During the talkback, they mentioned that, at one school, a boy remarked, “We don’t have any Safas.” But there’s always a Safa. Even if you come from an affluent and ethnically homogenous community, there’s always that kid who doesn’t quite “fit in.” Maybe they’re on the autism spectrum, or part of the Queer community, or just awkward in some way. And there’s always that bully to let them know it. And maybe –in their minds- they’re “only joking.” But their taunts and jests are toxic.
Kudos to the teaching artists of Blindspot Collective for bringing their Forum Theatre projects to area schools. May the seeds that they plant flourish into a garden of compassion and kindness. And may we raise up a generation of menshes who build a better future for everyone.
To learn more about the group, and maybe sponsor their outreach to schools, go to www.blindspotcollective.org.
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Eric George Tauber is a freelance writer who specializes in coverage of the arts. He may be contacted via eric.tauber@sdjewishworld.com
What a masterful job of explaining this experience, and the impact it had on the interactive audience. Thank you for writing the piece superbly and illustrating how the clever presentation engaged kids. I am also quite impressed with your weaving in the Jewish experience and our ability to empathize with being the “odd man out.” Thank you Eric!