Bedford students rehearse “Higher Ground.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
A controversial play that takes on bullying will be performed Thursday and Friday at Westport’s Bedford Middle School.
Called “Higher Ground,” the production addresses the often painful middle school life where students live under a magnifying glass, with every word and action subject to examination and judgment by their peers.
“Higher Ground” was written in 2008 by then middle school teacher Jennie Brown in Sherwood, Ore. She will be a special guest at a Bedford performance, according to Sherwoodgazette.com.
The play portrays how students encounter and deal with persecution over sexual orientation, learning disabilities, weight issues, ethnicity, and even harassment over academic achievement.
The original performance of “Higher Ground” was canceled at the last minute by the then principal of the school who found the script “too mature” for students, according to sherwoodgazette.com.
It then went on to be performed at the Brunish Theater in the Portland Center for the Performing Arts for three sold-out performances.
Sarah Grant, a Sherwood Middle School parent whose son, Freddie, was in the original production, said a Westport teacher found the script online.
The teacher shared with Brown that it was very enthusiastically received by the school’s administration, staff, students, parents and community members, Grant said.
“The school has invited Jennie Brown to see the play and to meet with staff and students, which she is excitedly planning to do,” she said.
Performances open to the public will be held Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Bedford Middle School Auditorium. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, and will be available at the door. Daytime special performances are scheduled for students.
Because of the mature themes of the material, it is not recommended that children 8 or younger attend.
