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. Our mission is to “Build Healthy Relationships Using Theatre and Community Collaboration.”  All RESPECT programs have the goal to “Stage Conversations.”  We believe it is important for children to learn how to talk with others, talk about how they are feeling and what they need, and to listen to others respectfully. Being able to converse with others about feelings and needs supports positive mental health and strong communities. Further, even if they are not targets of abuse they will benefit from skills learned to have safe, healthy, and productive relationships.

RESPECT uses theatre to teach students the information and skills necessary to develop healthy and safe relationships. We have 18 plays in our catalog for preschoolers though college students/adults. 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 safety in social media.