A Hard Choice

by Jeanette Hill

Bryan and Steve are seventh graders in an urban neighborhood, who have been physically and emotionally bullied all year by classmate Frank and his buddies. Afraid the other kids will make fun of them, they have remained silent. Today Frank and his buddies have not only forced them off of the basketball court, they punched and made fun of them in front of the other students. For Bryan, this is the last straw...

Bryan and Steve are seventh graders in an urban neighborhood, who have been physically and emotionally bullied all year by classmate Frank and his buddies. Afraid the other kids will make fun of them, they have remained silent. Today Frank and his buddies have not only forced them off of the basketball court, they punched and made fun of them in front of the other students. For Bryan, this is the last straw. He has an ‘eye-for-an-eye’ plan but will this plan help his situation or make it worse? (Extra youth can walk around watching)

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A Hard Choice

Recommended by

  • Claudia Haas: A Hard Choice by Jeanette Hill
    “

    Hill wrote a play that is a beginning. There are no easy answers and none are given. The play illustrates ways to address bullying and acknowledges hard truths: there is no one-size-fits-all answer. And solving the problem all by your lonesome also backfires. Upper elementary students and middle schools would especially benefit from both being in the play and as audience members. Silence can be deadly. The play gives you a safe place to speak.

    Hill wrote a play that is a beginning. There are no easy answers and none are given. The play illustrates ways to address bullying and acknowledges hard truths: there is no one-size-fits-all answer. And solving the problem all by your lonesome also backfires. Upper elementary students and middle schools would especially benefit from both being in the play and as audience members. Silence can be deadly. The play gives you a safe place to speak.

    ”
  • Lisa B. Thompson: A Hard Choice by Jeanette Hill
    “

    Ms. Hill has written an excellent drama for educational settings for children from 5-9th grade. The characters are believable and endearing. "A Hard Choice" honestly examines how young people navigate bullying and illustrates how they can make good choices.

    Ms. Hill has written an excellent drama for educational settings for children from 5-9th grade. The characters are believable and endearing. "A Hard Choice" honestly examines how young people navigate bullying and illustrates how they can make good choices.

    ”
  • Emma Goldman-Sherman: A Hard Choice by Jeanette Hill
    “

    Taking on the difficulties of bullying in Middle School is tough, and Ms. Hill does a great job keeping this real without any easy outs for any of the characters. Well done! This is a dramatic piece that will invite conversation among any audience!

    Taking on the difficulties of bullying in Middle School is tough, and Ms. Hill does a great job keeping this real without any easy outs for any of the characters. Well done! This is a dramatic piece that will invite conversation among any audience!

    ”
View all 4 recommendations
BRYAN- A nice youth who is constantly bullied by Frank and his buddy, Ron. He feels like a coward because he doesn’t confront them and he doesn’t tell because he thinks the kids would think he’s a snitch. He is reaching his breaking point.

STEVE-Bryan’s best friend. He wants to stand up to Bryan but knows how it would turn out.

FRANK-A great athlete but it has gone to his head. He ego makes him think that rules don’t apply to him and in those instances where he’s reprimanded, he reminds them that he is the reason the school’s team is having a winning season.

RON-Frank’s partner in crime. His courage is the overflow of what Frank does. He’s caught up in Frank’s popularity as an athlete.

MS. REED- School counselor who suspects what is going on despite Bryan and Steve’s denials.

Extras-Students can stand around while Bryan is being bullied but not intervene.

Reed can be played by a male or female.

Development History

  • Reading, KEW Youth Foundation, Houston, TX, 2008