SHOUT IT OUT Honored by NEA

Kingdom County Production’s award winning musical Shout it Out was honored this month with a Human and Civil Right Award from the National Education Association. The NEA’s SuAnne Big Crow Memorial Award was given to filmmaker Bess O’Brien and the entire cast for their role in bringing attention to the seriousness of school bullying. O’Brien was presented with the award in New Orleans during the NEA’s Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly.

“The cast of Shout it Out deserves a standing ovation for its work in this production, especially for helping students who may be facing similar challenges to understand their own lives,” said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. “Schools
should be safe zones – places where students feel comfortable being themselves and expressing their ideas. Shout it Out is an excellent vehicle for addressing bullying and harassment at school.”

The film was written and filmed in Vermont and stars Vermont teens. Shout it Out is already used throughout many school districts in Vermont, and across the country. The film highlights many experiences familiar to teens, such as concerns over body image, sexual orientation, teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol use, cutting, racism and family relationships. This film is the inspiration for filmmaker Bess O’Brien’s new division of Kingdom County Productions called the Institute of Arts, Voice, Action. AVA’s mission is to ignite discussions about issues that are important to Vermonters through art. Her upcoming AVA film, Ask Us Who We Are, is a powerful documentary about foster teens in Vermont.

To purchase the video click here

For a complete list of our Awards click here