Star Power

Grades K-5    The issues: Cultural Differences, Bully Prevention

SYNOPSIS

INTRODUCTION:  This is the story of two friends, Kamea and Austin, who are taking part in a talent competion and in the process, learn three ways to deal with bullies.

Scene One:  Kamea and Austin are nervous before their performance at their elementary school’s talent show. They reinforce their friendship to calm their nerves—promising one another to remain friends no matter what. As the scene ends, they head for the stage to perform their ukulele and
piano duet.

Scene Two:  It’s after school the day after the talent show. Austin and Kamea are waiting for their moms to arrive and pick them up when they are approached by Courtney Collins, a scout for the state-wide talent competition, Talent Quest. She encourages the kids to think about auditioning, and Austin and Kamea are excited about the possibility of being crowned The Most Talented Kid in Pennsylvania.

Scene Three:  Austin and Kamea have arrived at Talent Quest, and are being introduced to the judges, Sinclair and Paulette, by host Brian.

Scene Four:  Trick and his friends Oscar and Bridget are introduced, and Trick’s bullying ways are quickly revealed as he makes fun of Kamea’s Hawaiian heritage. The scene ends with Austin and Kamea reminding each other of their vows of friendship, and exiting together.

Scene Five:  We are onstage at Talent Quest. We see a series of unfortunate performances, affording us the opportunity to get to know the judges and their styles a little better. While Brian and Paulette are supportive and reinforce the young performers, Sinclair is mean and is constantly putting them down. When he is confronted by Brian, he refuses to discuss why he is acting in such a negative way.

Scene Six:  Trick corners Austin backstage at Talent Quest, and through bullying, convinces him to stop hanging out with Kamea for the remainder of the competition. 

Scene Seven:  Trick, his cronie Oscar, and Austin gang up on Kamea backstage in a confrontation that ends with Kamea’s ukulele being broken. Bridget enters and soothes Kamea, and assures her that she is being bullied. Together they go to Brian’s office to report the incident.

Scene Eight:  We’re back onstage at Talent Quest—the competition continues with an unfortunate performance, and more bullying from Sinclair. Again, when confronted regarding his bullying ways, Sinclair refuses any discussion and leaves the room.

Scene Nine:  Bridget and Kamea go to Brian’s office to report Trick’s bullying behavior. Brian listens to their story, and introduces them to three ways to deal with bullying behavior:  Recognize that you are being bullied, Refuse the bullying behavior, and Report the bullying to a trusted adult. 

Scene Ten:  It’s the final round of Talent Quest, and we are backstage with Austin, Trick, and Oscar. Austin and Trick have been selected to be in the final three, and when Austin expresses his excitement that Kamea has been selected as well, Trick reveals his plan to sabotage Kamea’s performance. When Austin tries to stand up for her, Trick physically threatens him. Kamea and Bridget enter and apply what Brian has taught them—they stand up for Austin and threaten to get a trusted adult. Trick leaves, frustrated.

Scene Eleven:  Trick is confronted by Brian. Brian reveals that he has been made aware of Trick’s bullying behavior, and threatens Trick with disqualification unless he changes his ways. Trick confides that he is also being bullied—by his brother and his brother’s friends. Brian explains that, while this is not an excuse for bullying, it’s preventable. As they exit, Brian introduces Trick to the three ways to deal with bullies:  Recognize, Refuse, Report.

Scene Twelve:  The competition is over, and the judges are about to reveal their final decision. Sinclair, as usual, is responding negatively to the performances. Finally, Paulette and Brian confront him and reveal to him what he has become: a bully. With this revelation, he leaves the stage and the competition continues—to the final results of Talent Quest!