THE BULLY PLAYS ��
DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY ON THE PRODUCTION
“If experiencing these plays helps even one person to recognize bullying, understand why it is happening, and take steps to stop it, then the effort will have been worth it. When art can be used to improve, not just imitate, life, we are all better off.”
- Susan Sugerman, MD, MPH
The Bully Plays is an anthology that was commissioned in response to the rise in bullying – its victims, its culprits, and its bystanders – with the intention of challenging, inspiring, and enlightening audiences to help us confront the underlying issues of bullying in a constructive and creative way. The seven plays we’ve selected to perform are funny, sad, powerful, and important – for middle school, for ASB, and for all of us. We’ve arranged them in what we hope is the best balance to address our topic and provide a starting point for conversations after the show.
Out of respect for the work of the ensemble, the intimacy of the space, and the experience of the other audience members, please refrain from using any electronic device that might alter or distract from the sound and lighting of our performance.
Bully Pulpit
Downhill
Bystander Blues
Bunch of Clowns
Here Be Dragons by Dwayne Hartford by Eric Coble by Doug Cooney by Trish Lindberg by Sandra Feninchel Asher
CAST (GRADE LEVEL)
Avan Deshmukh
Ruhaan Kumar Dua
Director
Mika Gornostaeva
Rayaan Hegde
Insiya Hemani Tamara Mamieva
PRODUCTION TEAM
Theatre Manager & Production Assistant
Technical Director
Audio & Video Enhancement
Ash Rogerson
Zahra Vaid
Kaleroy Zervos
Joyson Peter
Joby Anthony Vazhayil
Tushar Borse
Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.
MUCH GRATITUDE AND MANY THANKS TO…
The parents and families of our cast for their time, energy, and support.
The ASB Secondary School Office and our Secondary School faculty for their continued support and belief in the benefits gained through participation in the performing arts.
Mr. Joyson Peter, our theatre manager and production assistant, for his smile in the midst of chaos, his laughter in the face of obstacles, and his incredible ability to silently work behind the scenes anticipating where our next metaphorical safety net needs thrown.
Mr. Joby Anthony our technical theatre director, for his perfectly to scale set design of today's teens' workspace.
ASB Audio/Visual Tech Support for our lights, sound, audio editing, filming, and photography.
The Middle School Activities Office for their cooperation in coordinating student schedules.
Mahesh Shinde and ASB’s Maintenance Staff for setting up our space.
ASB Security and Support Staff for the extended hours on weekdays and weekends to allow us to work smoothly and safely.
Sodexo for catering weekend rehearsals and all performances.
American School of Bombay 2026