The Cornelius-based nonprofit Foundation for Respect Ability on April 12 at the movie theater in Concord Mills Mall will host a pre-screening of the controversial movie Bully, set to debut in Charlotte the following day. Community members are invited to attend the preview, that will be followed by a panel discussion and question-and-answer session.
Directed by Sundance and Emmy-award winning filmmaker Lee Hirsch, Bully is a character-driven documentary that follows five children and their families as they with the effects of bullying over the course of a school year.
The movie precedes the foundation’s “Lunch and Learn” in Cornelius April 13, that will focus on cyber bullying and prevention.
More about the panel:
John Concelman isa master educator with 12+ years of teaching experience empowering students across CMS. Currently, he is involved with building bridges across CMS schools and the community in the field of character development with an emphasis on bullying and harassment prevention. He works with schools using multi-dimensional assessment data to help identify strengths and challenges that can be addressed through positive school climates. He has extensive training in youth gang awareness and prevention, and has worked closely with CMPD Gang of One in their efforts for local gang resistance.
Dr. Lucretia Watson-Collins’ research agenda is nationally recognized for proactive approaches to preventing bullying. She has conducted workshops all over the world to highlight the negative impact of bullying and is an expert in the area of cyber bullying. She has a Master’s of Science Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in the teaching of Reading from the Mississippi State University. Her doctorate of Education is in Curriculum and Instruction with a cognate area in Educational Leadership. She is currently an educational leadership professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is also a Board Member with the Foundation for Respect Ability.
Sharon Green is associate professor of theatre at Davidson College where she teaches a course in Theatre and Social Justice, among others. Her article, “The Defenders: How Theatres are Shedding Light on Bullying’s Devastating Effects and Giving Kids Tools for Coping,” is forthcoming in the May issue of American Theatre. The article follows on the heels of her fall project, creating an original performance based on students’ experiences of being bullied with students enrolled in her Theatre for Social Justice course, and middle-schoolers in the Lake Norman Y’s after-school program.
WANT TO GO?
The 1-hour, 30-minute film is rated PG-13 and begins at 7 p.m. at Concord Mills Cinemas, 8421 Concord Mills Blvd. in Concord. Reservations are required, and guests are asked to arrive by 6:30.
Tickets are $15 per person or $10 per student. Email xbullying@gmail.com to reserve tickets, or go to the foundation’s website at www.xbullying.org. (click on donations and pay through PayPal)
Guests also may pay for tickets at the door, cash or check only, with a reservation. Call 704-438-9798 with questions.
