behavioral skills and self confidence through the arts

HAI’s Prevention Education Program uses theater arts to confront health and social challenges. Conducted in schools, detention centers, community centers and other youth venues, these performances and workshops physically, intellectually and emotionally engage audiences, challenging individuals to assess and solve difficult issues independently. Contracts with the NYC Department of Education have expanded the program’s scope. In performances and workshops, the role of youths working as peer educators is crucial. They inspire their peers, model positive behavior and naturally relate to their audiences, teenager to teenager. In addition to their dynamic performances, the peer educators’ active participation in the writing process adds authenticity and energy to all of HAI’s productions.

Above: Students from P.S. 333, the Manhattan School for Children, during a follow-up discussion to a preview performance of Take Ya Time. Photo: Laura Wise

A fourth-grade student from P.S. 333 talks about bullying after a preview
performance of Take Ya Time. Photo: Laura Wise

“Fantastic! Superb! Rejuvenating! These are just a few of the adjectives used by staff members after the professional development presentation by HAI. The presentation was absolutely invigorating. I have never seen my staff so enjoy a professional development. I cannot say enough about the work done by HAI in providing us with a first-rate presentation. The members of the group were warm, friendly and extremely knowledgeable about all of the topics we asked to be brought to the table. This was an outstanding professional development, and it is going to be a hard act to follow in the future.”--Eleanor Saturno, Assistant Principal, P.P.S., John Dewey High School

Take Ya Time Takes on Bullying in Elementary Schools

“My class really needed to see this show. If my class hadn't seen that show who knows what would stop all of this bullying in our class. Thank you again."

"Now I see how it feels to be bullied. I think I am part of the bullying in school so I will stop talking about people and making their feelings hurt."

“I got to the bully’s soft spot and I made him my friend!”

These are comments from some of the first NYC schoolchildren to participate in Take Ya Time. HAI has developed its newest theater piece and accompanying interactive workshops to confront the problem of bullying in schools. It is designed for children grades 3 through 6, using HAI's proven interactive theater technique. After the 30 minute, assembly sized performance, the children return to their classrooms for follow-up workshops led by professional HAI facilitators. Students use role-play to identify and manage their emotions, and brainstorm realistic responses to a range of situations, from internet bullying to weapons in schools.

Take Ya Time is about two siblings, 10-year-old Tommy and 12-year-old Ashley, who find ways to cope with bullying at school. Two preview performances were hosted at HAI’s loft, with 4th and 5th-grade test audiences riveted by the performance. The students asked the actors, who stayed in character, why they behaved and reacted in specific ways, sharing personal stories about how they were the target of abuse. Keith Bishop, Student Teacher at P.S. 333M, attended the preview and commented, "What was amazing about Take Ya Time was that it gave us, as teachers, a way to discuss and develop an understanding of various potentially violent situations and ways for the kids to really think about practical, real-life solutions to their own experiences and problems." Take Ya Time is now in high demand among elementary schools in all five boroughs.