A TAMS-WITMARK TITLE

Bully No More!

Short Musical, Dramatic Comedy  /  9any gender (adult), 9any gender (youth)

Story Concept, Characters & Dialogue by Elaine Davida Sklar
Lyrics by Elaine Davida Sklar with Jon Gailmor & Danielle Peveril
Music by Elaine Davida Sklar & Jon Gailmor with Danielle Peveril

“What a joyous, joyful way to present simple and memorable ideas about one of the biggest issues children face today – bullying! As a retired teacher of children from K to 12, I wish this exuberant show was available when I was teaching elementary school. Each scene, each song cuts right to the heart of why it feels so much better to choose being kind over cruel. It’s a celebration of inclusion and love and support for ourselves and the other. One character’s lyrics summed it up for me perfectly: ‘Gonna stand with my friends 'til eternity ends.’ And by that time in the show, I didn’t just hear the words, I felt the spirit behind it. In fact, the whole play escalates into a story not just about how bullying is hurtful (for the bullied and the bully), but how friends are people who know the song in your life and sing it with you. And sing is what many did as they left the theater.” – Bob Zaslow, award-winning children’s book author and playwright

Updated version now available!

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    9any gender (adult), 9any gender (youth)
  • Duration
    Duration
    60 minutes (1 hour)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Theatre for Young Audiences, Fables/Folktales
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Children (Age 6 - 10), Pre-Teen (Age 11 - 13)
Bully No More!

Details

Summary

Bully No More! celebrates the power of individuals to band together and stand up for what is right. With compelling characters and lively songs, the show empowers and inspires its audience to look out for one another, treat each other with kindness and respect, and “Hold Onto Hope” in an imperfect world.

Bully No More! features nine animal characters rather than humans who might be stereotyped or stigmatized because of their roles. A chorus may be added. The musical tells a story about the problems kids experience relating to gender, learning disabilities, race and self-confidence, and encourages acceptance and bully prevention values.

Bully No More! is UNIQUE!

All ages can perform Bully No More!

Bully No More! can be performed BY elementary-aged children, middle schools, children’s theaters and after-school groups, or FOR children by older students and adults.

Elementary School music/drama teachers can present the show in full, OR they can divide the show into scenes, select one class or group to begin with the opening dialogue, and end after the first song. The bully prevention message continues throughout the school year, presented at weekly meetings, with a different class, or group, one scene at a time. Several songs, for example, “Hold Onto Hope,” “I Feel Strong!” and “A Perfect World,” can be taught for the entire school to sing along when those scenes are performed.

Middle schools, children's theatres and after-school groups may add dialogue that is relevant to their personal and school experiences.

High schools, touring companies, community theatres and summer theatres can perform the show for elementary-aged students.

Directors and performers may edit scenes, songs, and number of actors to fit their running time, resources and goals. The purpose of this show is to present a statement that is not only entertaining, but is also meaningful to the performers and the audience. Their struggles. Their reality. Their needs.

The Bully No More! Discussion Guide, written by Prevent Child Abuse Vermont and PCA America, is available to all elementary school teachers for use with their students before and after seeing (and/or performing) the show. The Bully No More! Discussion Guide is a powerful teaching tool and encourages positive relationships among students, their teachers and parents. They share stories and interact, and every child’s voice is heard and valued. Performers, the audience and staff learn principles of self and social awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making and relationship skills. Order Guides: [email protected].

Synopsis

Dinosaur crashes a rocket ship on a distant planet and experiences the dark side of human behavior. Lion is a cyber bully who rules through fear and intimidation, attacking Tiger for anti-pollution posts on the Internet. Owl uses a mastery of language to tease Duck, who is learning disabled. Rabbit is a varsity athlete constantly showing off skills to gawky and insecure Elephant. Monkey teases Unicorn and insults its race. Dinosaur attempts to mend the rift between the two gangs, giving them the skills to work together without fear.

Flexible cast number (9 + optional chorus) and flexible running time. Prerecorded rehearsal and performance tracks provided.

History
Bully No More! premiered in New York City at The Children’s Acting Academy, and at The Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center to 3,000 children, their families, and teachers during two weeks of sellout performances.

The dominant Bullies (Lion, Monkey, Owl and Rabbit) and their helpless Targets (Tiger, Unicorn, Duck and Elephant) cannot resolve their daily problems (“We Got Issues”). Dinosaur, who has been traveling through the galaxies, crashes due to a malfunction of the rocket ship. The characters live in an atmosphere of unending stress because they are bullied every day (“The Land Between”). Dinosaur, a wise and experienced mediator, senses that these two groups need some guidance (“What’ll You Do?”). The Bullies threaten to blow up the rocket ship unless Dinosaur leaves immediately, which is not possible because the ship is broken. Tiger, a gender-fluid scientist, resolves that if he fixes the ship, they can all finally escape from the Bullies.

The Bullies, led by Lion, break into Tiger’s laboratory, trash everything, and lock Tiger inside. From outside the lab, the Bullies proudly share their malicious social media posts about Tiger (“Copy. Paste. Send.”). Dinosaur intercedes, but the Bullies stalk off, unconvinced. Dinosaur promises to bring tools to release Tiger.

Multi-colored Unicorn is harassed and treated as invisible. Unicorn is shaken and loses confidence, but Dinosaur gives reassurance (“I Am For Real”). The Bullies steal Unicorn’s backpack and run to a nearby pond, where they discover Duck sitting on a rock, hoping to learn to quack once they escape. Duck, who struggles to speak correctly, is taunted by Owl (“Beg A Little, Crawl A Little”). Duck has trouble finding the right thing to say (“Longing To Qua...”). The Bullies use Unicorn’s backpack to tie Duck on the rock. Dinosaur and Unicorn discover Duck, but they can’t swim. They go looking for Elephant, who is big and can walk in the water to reach Duck.

Elephant, who feels physically inadequate, is compressing food and drinks for the escape, but is tormented by Rabbit and the other Bullies. Dinosaur and Unicorn convince Elephant to help Duck (“Time To Stand Up!”) and the three of them successfully rescue Duck. Unicorn, noticing Monkey’s bananas sticking out of the backpack, quickly hides them (“Going Bananas!”). Unicorn begins to taunt Monkey, but Dinosaur steps in, and Monkey realizes how painful it is to be the target of bullying. To the dismay of Lion and the other Bullies, Monkey tentatively joins the Targets as they return to the lab to rescue Tiger.

Dinosaur, Monkey and the Targets free Tiger. The Targets ask if they can escape with Dinosaur if Tiger fixes the ship. Dinosaur says they must first resolve their problems with the Bullies. The Targets are empowered (“I Feel Strong!”). Dinosaur is impressed, and everyone feels optimistic (“Hold Onto Hope”).

Freed to do as they like, the Targets consider bullying back, but decide instead to tell the Bullies how they feel. The Bullies are unmoved. Monkey has a choice to make and decides to officially join the Targets (“Latitude To Your Attitude”). Duck convinces Owl to help others with academic problems, rather than slander and snub. Dinosaur and Elephant explain why Rabbit should stop bullying (“Hop, Rabbit, Hop!”). Rabbit is reluctant at first, but eventually understands and agrees (“Rabbit! Rabbit!”)

This leaves only Lion, who remains unaffected (“Greed”). The former Bullies join the Targets in their attempt to persuade Lion (“Bully No More!”), but still, Lion resists. Tiger tries a different tactic, telling Lion, “Everyone has problems, but we all have choices and are responsible for what we do.” Lion agrees to think about changing behavior (“A Perfect World”).

Elephant trips while racing to escape and the other Targets stop to help. When they arrive at the rocket ship, Dinosaur is inside, and the door is locked. Tiger programmed the door to stay shut to keep the Bullies out. The Targets decide not to leave The Land Between, to stand up for their rights and embrace their new friendships with the Bullies (“Don’t Bully Me Down!”)

Parts can be played by any gender.

MEDIATOR
DINOSAUR – Charismatic, trustworthy and protective

BULLIES
LION – Tyrannical dictator
MONKEY – Taunting prankster
OWL – Snooty intellectual
RABBIT – Arrogant athlete

TARGETS
TIGER – LGBTQIA Scientist
UNICORN – Multicolored philosopher
DUCK – Learning disabled student
ELEPHANT – Heavy, clumsy loner

Ensemble Cast: 9 Characters – a chorus may be added.
Expandable cast: Roles can be doubled.
All Roles may be played by any gender.

Directors and performers may edit scenes, songs and number of actors to fit their running time, resources and goals. The purpose of this show is to present a statement that is not only entertaining but is also meaningful to the performers and the audience. Their struggles. Their reality. Their needs.

  • Time Period Contemporary, Present Day
  • Setting An imaginary place called The Land Between.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes, Elaborate / High Volume Costumes, Fantasy Costumes
  • Additional Features Audience Participation/Interactive, No intermission, Play w/ Music
  • Duration 60 minutes (1 hour)
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

Bully No More! is a wonderful effort to educate children about bullying and what they can do to prevent it. Bravo!” – Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders

REVIEWS/ENDORSEMENTS

“Media is one of the primary ways children, youth and adults learn. The message in Bully No More! has tremendous potential to teach and affect behavior, attitudes and beliefs, which everyone can share and spread.” – Linda E. Johnson, Executive Director, Prevent Child Abuse Vermont

“The national organization Partnership with Children works with children to teach them coping skills, especially bullying behaviors and their consequences. Bully No More! is a welcome addition to the literature on the subject for families.” – Michelle Sidrane, Executive Director of Partnership with Children

Bully No More! is extremely upbeat and positive while still tackling head-on the serious subject of bullying. From beginning to end, Bully No More! keeps the interest and attention of audiences of all ages. This fast-paced musical shows how to handle bullies - not an easy task!” – Mike Dreiblatt, National Bully Prevention Speaker

“It’s not often that a fresh new musical comes along that shines the spotlight on a subject most would rather not discuss. Bully No More! tells a story too many have experienced, using familiar creatures with which one can identify. Bullying starts early in life, and even when the bullies reach adult status, it’s no guarantee that they will respect the rights of others. Bullying sets one on a path of infringing on the rights of others, and many never grow up, going through life thinking that might makes right. It must be faced and corrected early, and this musical tries to do just that. Excellent music and writing make this a must-see for the whole family!” – Mike Curtis, writer of Dick Tracy

“I am so happy to know that Bully No More! is available to schools and theaters everywhere Bully No More! is a must-see musical offering wisdom and positive ways for kids to deal with bullying. Not only that, but it is thoroughly entertaining! If you are thinking about putting on a show that is both fun AND speaks to kids’ experiences, Bully No More! would definitely be my pick!” – Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s

“Parents, teachers and students need to recognize the signs of bullying and unite against it. For our children’s sake, let us hope Bully No More! can help. I believe it will.” – U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy

Bully No More! presents the ideal opportunity to teach children about bullying and its ramifications. The upbeat musical generates effective methods of dealing with an overwhelming and serious issue that plagues too many of our children. I strongly support this unique musical and its mission to model effective strategies. Thanks for working to bring a better understanding to poor human behavior and an effort to change it.” – Lou Bivona, Board Chairman of The National Foundation for Missing and Exploited Children

Bully No More! was a great success in providing the students a framework to discuss issues around bullying behavior and how to make our school a safe and respectful learning environment. The play was a very big hit for third graders because of its length and the sincerity of the language and they did a great job. Please feel free to send anyone my way who wants to talk about our experience with your play!” – Betsy Nolan and the Unified Arts Team – Edmunds Elementary School, Burlington, Vermont

OTHER PRESS

Art in the Time of Covid: Bully No More! by Desmond Peeples, The Vermont Arts Council (August 31, 2020)

Videos

  • Bully No More! Promotional Video youtube thumbnail

    Bully No More! Promotional Video

  • "I Feel Strong" youtube thumbnail

    "I Feel Strong"

Photos

  • Bully No More!

    Image: Elaine Davida Sklar

  • Bully No More!

    Image: Elaine Davida Sklar

  • Bully No More!

    Image: Elaine Davida Sklar

  • Bully No More!

    Image: Elaine Davida Sklar

Music

Song Samples

1. We've Got Issues
2. The Land Between
3. What'll You Do?
4. Copy. Paste. Send.
5. I Am For Real
6. Beg A Little, Crawl A Little
7. Longing to Qua...
8. Time To Stand Up!
9. Going Bananas!
10. I Feel Strong!
11. Hold Onto Hope
12. Latitude To Your Attitude
13. Hop, Rabbit, Hop!
14. Rabbit, Rabbit
15. Greed
16. Bully No More!
17. A Perfect World
18. Don't Bully Me Down!
1. “We Got Issues” – Bullies & Targets
2. “The Land Between” – Bullies & Targets
3. “What’ll You Do?” – Dinosaur
4. “Copy. Paste. Send.” – All
5. “I Am For Real” – Unicorn & Dinosaur
6. “Beg A Little, Crawl A Little” – Owl
7. “Longing To Qua…” – Duck
8. “Time To Stand Up!” – Elephant
9. “Going Bananas” – Monkey, Duck, & Elephant
10. “I Feel Strong!” – Targets
11. “Hold Onto Hope” – Dinosaur, Targets, & Monkey
12. “Latitude To Your Attitude” – Targets & Monkey
13. “Hop, Rabbit, Hop!” – Dinosaur, Rabbit, Targets, Monkey, & Owl
14. “Rabbit! Rabbit!” – Dinosaur, Rabbit, Targets, Monkey, & Owl
15. “Greed” – Bullies & Targets
16. “Bully No More!” – All
17. “A Perfect World” – Dinosaur, Targets, Monkey, Owl, Rabbit
18. “Don’t Bully Me Down!” – All

Orchestration

Performance and rehearsal tracks

  • Musical Style Pop/Rock, Contemporary Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Easy
  • Vocal DemandsEasy
  • Orchestra Size Piano Only
  • Chorus Size Medium

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

Concord offers a full suite of resources to help you put on the show of a lifetime!

11 Libretto/Vocal Books
1 Digital resource download, consisting of:

  • Sing-Along Tracks to help your cast learn the songs.
  • Performance Tracks with orchestral accompaniment for your production.

Scripts

Available Formats:

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Elaine Davida Sklar

Elaine Davida Sklar (playwright, lyricist, producer, director and educator) was the Artistic Director of The Greenwich Repertory Theatre and directed for The Connecticut Playmakers. Ms. Sklar served as Drama Chairman for the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York, and co-fou ...
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Jon Gailmor

Jon Gailmor has been performing in schools, colleges, resorts, restaurants and folk clubs throughout the country for almost 40 years, serenading at child care and senior centers, singing at prisons, hospitals, conferences, corporate and private parties and delivering unorthod ...

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Danielle Peveril

Danielle Peveril holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Arts from Brandeis University and a Master's in Mathematics. Danielle’s writing has been featured in several publications, including Literary Mama, The Journal for Compressed Creative Arts, Allegory Magazine, Nanoism, Twen ...

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