RESPECT

RESPECT has been serving Omaha, Nebraska, Iowa, and surrounding communities since 2000. We have provided programming to audiences totaling over 618,361 individuals and more than 5,006 programs. We believe it is important for children to learn how to talk with each other, talk about how they are feeling and what they need – and that having conversations is learning to listen to one another. Having conversations supports positive mental health and strong communities. Further, even if not targets of abuse it is very likely they will benefit from skills learned to be positive upstanders and be able to help peers in their community.

RESPECT uses theatre to teach students the information and skills necessary to develop healthy and safe relationships. We have 17 plays in our catalog for preschoolers though college students/adults with 14 of them being offered during 2024-2025.This listing is at www.respect2all.org/programs. The plays provide students with valuable insights, modeling/demonstrations, and opportunities to build empathy while experiencing perspectives different from their own. Through our scripted plays, we incorporate theatre techniques like role play and improvisation to “Stage Conversations” with students, inviting them to engage directly with actor-educators on stage. We aim to empower students, equipping them to navigate the challenges associated with unhealthy and unsafe relationships, such as bullying, dating violence, child abuse, negative peer pressure, internet safety, identity-based bullying and discrimination of all kinds.