The world premiere performance of Stickboy, a new opera exploring the subject of bullying, will open this evening at the Vancouver Playhouse.

Written by celebrated B.C. spoken-word artist Shane Koyczan, with music by composer Neil Weisensel, Stickboy is produced by Vancouver Opera. The autobiographical story focuses on a youth’s struggles against the harmful impacts of bullying.

Stickboy is showing 12 times between Oct. 23 and Nov. 7, 2014. For details, visit: http://ow.ly/CVMWm.

The Government of British Columbia provided a $500,000 grant to Vancouver Opera to support the production and presentation of Stickboy.

A national leader in bullying prevention, British Columbia is the first province in Canada to develop a comprehensive strategic approach. Launched in June, 2012, B.C.'s ERASE Bullying Strategy has attracted attention from jurisdictions across Canada. For more information on ERASE, go to: http://ow.ly/CVNuF

Quotes:

Honourable Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia  -

“Bullying has no place in our schools, workplaces and communities, and British Columbians are coming together to take a stand against it. Congratulations to Vancouver Opera on the production of Stickboy, a moving depiction of bullying and its lasting consequences.”

Honourable Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development  

“The Government of British Columbia is proud to support the world premiere of Stickboy, an opera created through the talents of many gifted B.C artists and presented through Vancouver Opera, one of B.C.’s great cultural organizations.”

James W. Wright, general director, Vancouver Opera -

“The excitement that we at Vancouver Opera are feeling on the day of the world premiere of a new opera is almost beyond expressing. Through the brave eloquence of Shane Koyczan’s words and the beautiful power of Neil Weisensel’s music, we present to the world and to our community a work that we know will make a lasting contribution to the discussion of how we treat those among us who are different, and how we live together in community.”

“We are grateful to the Government of British Columbia for demonstrating, through this generous support, its belief in the power of opera to connect with everyone on such an important subject.”

Quick Facts:

• In 2014-15, the Government of British Columbia is investing over $60 million in artists, arts organizations and cultural organizations in communities throughout the province.

• Since 2001, the Government of British Columbia has provided more than half a billion dollars for arts and culture, more than any other government in the province’s history.

Learn More:

Check out the provincial government’s role in supporting sport, arts and culture through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/cscd

Media Contacts:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 889-9441

Doug Tuck
Director of Marketing
Vancouver Opera
604 331-4823