The performance

the students watched titled "When I Feel Angry," designed for

grades three to five, looks at the complex issues of resolving conflicts.

Children learn about empathy, the consequences of anger, and how to recognize

and control one's own anger.

Through the

use of various skits and audience participation, the performers of the

Atlanta-based theater company acted out different situations that could

cause someone to get angry. Instead of using anger to hurt someone verbally

or physically, the actors showed students various ways to resolve conflicts

that would result in a positive outcome for everyone involved. Some of

the lessons taught included walking away from angry situations, ignoring

those who try to evoke anger, taking emotions out on an object instead

of a person or getting the help of an adult.

"I thought

the skits were really good because they teach that you shouldn't use anger

on people. Instead you can take it out on something that you are playing

with. That's what I do. I usually find something that I can take my anger

out on," said East Fayette fifth grader Alexander Lunn.

Seven Fayette

elementary schools, four middle schools and one high school hosted Academy

Theatre performances. While the elementary schools focused on anger management,

students at the secondary schools saw a performance called "Bullies

and Bystanders," a play for grades six to 12 that explores how bullies

are created, how students become victims and what the responsibilities

of bystanders are in preventing violence. The "Bullies and Bystanders"

performance was featured in the March 2001 edition of Time magazine.

"I think

these performances are fabulous. Children right now are dealing with lots

of anger. These plays show them how to deal with anger in positive ways,"

said East Fayette Counselor Leslie Fear.

After the main

play ends, reinforcement of what was taught by the performances continues

in the form of small group workshops where the actors work with students,

eliciting their responses and making them more aware of their own issues

and creative energies.

During the

anger management workshop, actors asked students to talk about how they

handle their anger. Through different scenarios, the actors demonstrated

what happens when anger is used in a negative way and then they replayed

the scene implementing some of the students' positive ideas to see how

the situation could be changed.

"Our main

message to the students is if you are angry that doesn't make you a bad

person. It is how you choose to handle the anger that determines the person

you are," said actress Pauline Lewis.

The theater

group's nationally acclaimed programs present original plays based on

issues parents, teachers and students have said are of concern to them.

It was founded in 1961.

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