A group of young performers spreading the message to stand up to bullies took to the stage in South Dunedin last night.
The group performed a 15-minute drama at King's and Queen's Performing Arts Centre as a foretaste of what they plan to take to Dunedin primary schools.
About 30 young people formed the anti-bullying awareness group, Bail on Bullying, in February, said Tarn Felton, the anti-bullying co-ordinator for Stopping Violence Dunedin.
''Bullying cannot be stopped overnight but we are trying to create a community that is going to take a stand against it,'' Ms Felton said.
The Dunedin group, aged between 13 and 25, met weekly.
It was funded by Te Punanga Haumaru, a branch of the Ministry of Social Development designed to support community action to prevent the bullying of young people.
Last night's event included a talk from Auckland comedian Mike King.
Group theatre mentor Bronwyn Wallace (22) said the drama aimed to teach pupils how to be an ''upstander'', rather than a bystander, to bullying.
''An upstander steps in and says that is not OK,'' Miss Wallace said.
Bayfield High School pupil JJ Thompson said she joined the group because bullying - verbal, physical and cyberbullying - was a problem in Dunedin.
King's High School pupil Ben Duff said since joining the group, he had experienced a feeling of community for the first time.
''It's good to have a way for schools to come together and unite for a good cause.''
