Lisa Barrett

Rest assured, though, that it will be delivered through song and not violence for “Can’t Bully Me Now,” a musical written by city resident Lisa Barrett.

The show debuted at St. Joseph’s School earlier this year by a group of students who had auditioned for parts and memorized lines and songs. Now they are taking their work on the road, thanks to Genesee County Legislator Esther Leadley.

“I had heard Lisa talk about it,” Leadley said. “I’m attached emotionally to the Genesee County Fair and I know Alton McDuffie, the new fair manager. I’ve been kind of feeding him suggestions. We’re looking to draw people. I’m hoping that the children will draw their parents to the fair and they’ll end up doing other things while they’re there.”

Even if parents don’t want to go, their children will hopefully have enough interest to take the lead and ask mom and dad to bring them to the east end fair on Route 5, Leadley said.

The musical, which leads spectators through a 45-minute story of bullying from the victim’s and bully’s perspective, is scheduled for 4 p.m. July 24. It offers a message of hope for anyone who feels caught up in a bad situation, Barrett said.

“It allows kids to feel what it’s like to be bullied, and teaches them three simple steps to overcome it,” she said.

Barrett’s nephew, who endured serious bullying violence in school, inspired her to write the play, though she admitted that she also experienced bullying behaviors. One scene featuring a girl getting picked last in gym class was reminiscent of Barrett’s school days, she said.

“Can’t Bully Me Now” is free to the public and sponsored by Batavia Youth Bureau and GCASA. Barrett, a singer and songwriter, will take to the stage herself at 6 p.m. July 23 for Country Day at the fair.

St. Joseph's debuting original play on effects of bullying

Music teacher Lauren Hoerbelt, left, and city musician Lisa Barrett review Barrett’s play, “Can’t Bully Me Now!” during rehearsal Tuesday at St. Joseph’s School in Batavia. The production will debut for the public at 7 p.m. Friday at the school on the corner of East Main and Summit streets. (Rocco Laurienzo/Daily News)

Posted: Wednesday, June 2, 2010 12:00 am

St. Joseph's debuting original play on effects of bullying By Joanne Beck jbeck@batavianews.com The Daily News Online

BATAVIA — Lynese Castro's smile drops a bit after she is picked last in gym class.

Of course, her team's captain doesn't help by groaning that he had to take a less athletic student such as Lynese.

It felt like "no one likes me or cares," Lynese said of her role as Lisa in the musical "Can't Bully Me Now!"

Although the scene was for the original play about bullying, it is perhaps a familiar one to many. The coach tells two captains to each pick from a pool of classmates. Eventually there are just a few students left who are begrudgingly selected.

It's certainly something that city resident and playwright Lisa Barrett can relate to. And it is, in part, the reason why she scripted the 45-minute work. It's set to debut at 7 p.m. Friday at St. Joseph's School, corner of Summit and East Main streets.

Barrett's main motivation came from nephew Bryce, who endured bullying at a Buffalo area school.

"He experienced bullying over a few years, and it got violent," Barrett said during rehearsal Tuesday at St. Joseph's School. "They were on the bus and a few boys held him down and punched him, and they told him 'you just have to take it.' Well, he doesn't have to take it."

Her nephew's encounter with bullying, as well as Barrett's first-hand lessons of getting teased in school, led her to writing the play and five songs about student interactions and how adults can sometimes be oblivious to the real drama of school. With a son attending St. Joseph's School, Barrett asked if officials would be willing to debut her play for students, staff and parents.

Barrett then visited the school's music classes and shared why she wanted to put on such a play. In turn, students opened up to her and spoke of their own torments and ordeals. It was "overwhelming," she said. "It became very emotional." She hopes that her play can not only offer empathy to students but instruction for how to cope from all perspectives.

"The musical is hands-on and is designed to portray real-life bullying situations and to teach the kids how to get the help they need, whether they are bullied, the bystander or the actual bully," she said.

Act I features a coach instructing his two team captains to pick players for a basketball game. Lisa and classmate Betty are the last two to get chosen. Their heads droop down as everyone else is staring at them. As Barrett watched the rehearsal she nodded to Lynese and whispered, "True story, that was me." After each girl gets picked for a team, the narrator interrupted to ask: what would you do?

Ten-year-old Lynese, aka Lisa, reminded the audience that this scenario is one not to be forgotten by those who got picked last.

"We all need to feel important, to be liked," she said. "And to know that we matter."

Similar to how bullying can escalate, the musical steps up each scene to incorporate more serious trouble. Scenes include kids mocking Billy, who wears glasses, as "the four-eyed nerd," a bully knocking Billy's books out of his hands and a threatening text message left on Billy's cell phone. He eventually tells his mom he's too sick to go to school.

"It's important for all of us to know the signs when someone might be the victim of bullying," a narrator said.

Barrett thought she was finished after her fourth song. But then she learned about Rachel's Challenge and how Rachel Scott, who was killed by classmates at Colorado's Columbine High School, had focused on kindness. Kindness. It was something that Barrett wanted to include with her musical. She wanted to offer a real answer to what kids can do to be positive at school.

"I needed to show kids what they need to do instead of bullying," she said.

Enter the song "Show a Little Kindness." Barrett has offered it to the nationally known Rachel's Challenge program and listed it as the third song in her play.

If someone has a really bad day, go up and ask "Are you Okay?"

If someone's feeling sad and blue, ask if there's something you can do. You can make a difference each and every day. Show a little kindness; it goes a long way.

For Bryce, his parents and school staff became "key players" in stopping his ordeal, Barrett said. He has since gained more confidence and is better able to handle such treatment. She hopes that local children, parents and school workers will take away a similar message to be part of the solution for anyone dealing with bullying.

Reid Rademacker, a fifth-grader who plays the coach and a bully, has encountered bullying himself. His prior residence was near people who didn't treat him so well. Although it "was kind of cool to see what it's like" as a bully, he knows the down side.

"I didn't like it," he said. "It's nice to know I can do something about it. I would probably talk to the person doing the bullying and the one being bullied. I think it's great to help people who are bullied."

The play is free and open to the public.

Anti-bullying play packs a powerful message

Posted: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 1:04 am | Updated: 1:07 am, Wed Dec 15, 2010.

Anti-bullying play packs a powerful message By Paul Mrozek pmrozek@batavianews.com The Daily News Online

Members of the Genesee County Drug Free Communities Coalition were introduced Tuesday to a new way of teaching children about the negative effects of harassing and picking on their peers.

“Can’t Bully Me Now,” a 30-minute musical, was performed at the quarterly meeting of the coalition, at Terry Hills Golf Club. About 60 students from St. Joseph’s School in Batavia comprised the cast and the chorus.

The play gives the characters and the audience a first-hand look at bullying and steps that can help stop it.

The performance consists of several acts in which students in fourth, fifth and sixth grade took on roles of bullies and victims. The mini-dramas were ones commonly experienced or observed in schools, such as harassment in the corridor, in the cafeteria and by cell phone.

Sixth-grader John Betters plays a geeky child in several scenes. In one of them a group of students corner him at his locker.

One boy calls Betters a “four-eyed nerd,” and knocks some books out of his hands and onto the floor.

Other students who observe the incident “are just watching but not brave enough to do anything,” the narrator said.

The student victim student then receives a text message, “We will get you, nerd.”

Betters’ character arrives home after school, claims he has a stomach ache and hides in his bedroom.

“I don’t want to go to school. I don’t want to be afraid.

“I don’t want to be the one that’s picked on every day,” the nerd sings.

“You would want your friends to help you,” he said.

Stomach aches, headaches, nervousness, low self-esteem and falling grades can all be signs of bullying, the narrator tells the audience.

Another scene takes place at lunchtime in a cafeteria. A girl new to the school has trouble finding a vacant seat at any table.

Responses she receives when she asked if it is OK to sit down include, “All these seats are taken” and “Maybe, if I can have your lunch.”

The students then sing about WUG, an acronym for possible ways to cope with the situation, Walk Away, Use Your Voice, Go Get Help. The play ends with the cast and chorus singing the title track, “Can’t Bully Me Now.”

The lyrics: “I found my way out. Now I’m so much stronger. I won’t take it an longer. Can’t bully me now.”

Shannon Ford of the Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse said there is no standard program to address the issue of bullying, as there is for other social issues such as drug and alcohol abuse.

Bullying, Ford said, “needs to be addressed as soon as possible.”

The anti-bullying message of the play encourages students to show empathy, compassion, respect and kindness to other students and stand up and support victims of school bullying, Ford said.

She also conducts workshops to promote Peace Circles, discussion groups that emphasize empathy, compassion, respect and kindness to other students and how to stand up and support victims of school bullying. Oakfield Central School is using peace circles as part of its anti-bullying efforts, Ford said.

“Can’t Bully Me Now” was written and composed by Lisa Barrett, prevention educator with GCASA. Barrett is a singer/songwriter Lisa Barrett who is also a St. Joseph School parent.

About 140 people attended Tuesday’s Drug Free Communities event.

When You Look At Me By: Brian Campbell

Click here to view article on Rochester At Home website

Lisa Barrett
When You Look at Me

www.lisabarrettcd.com

To my knowledge, county musicians are few and far between around these parts, but when you find one – man, are they good. Very much is the case of Lisa Barrett. Her newest release When You Look at Me is probably one of the most uplifting and refreshing records I’ve personally heard in a while.
The big selling point of the record is obviously Barrett’s soaring vocal work. They are at all times fresh and comforting and on par with that of country heavyweight’s Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain or an Alison Krauss. Her voice doesn’t falter, crack or even fade at any point on this CD. It stays sensitive and soothing the whole time.
Speaking of her vocals, her lyrics are smart too. Let’s Roll is a majestic tribute to those who perished on 9/11 aboard United Flight 93 and it even has been entered into the national archives for future generations of historians and educators to study. She deals with all sorts of sensitive issues such as heartbreak, loneliness, standing up and being strong, and knowing when to leave bad situations.
One overwhelming theme through the record is the remembrance of her nephew Austin, whom she lost to cancer. She named the CD after something she said to herself when she was looking at a picture of him, and the title track of the record, When You Look at Me, is about him as well.
Aside from all of the deeper meanings housed on this CD, the music is good. Overall it really reminds me of Shania Twain’s album, Up!, very poppy and upbeat, and clear, crisp, and meaningful throughout. This is one of those records that you can pop into your CD player no matter what mood you’re in and it will cheer you up or make you think – whatever you need. It is definitely a mood changing album.
What makes this CD better than the music itself is the fact that a portion of the proceeds from this CD will be donated to Essential Care for Children, a pediatric home care program for children with life-threatening illness, and their families. For more information, check out www.essential-care.org.
The CD is currently for sale over at www.lisabarrettcd.com for only $11.99 and free shipping! You cannot go wrong with a great price for a great CD.

The Daily News – Monday, May 2, 2005 By Raymond Coniglio Assistant News Editor BATAVIA — Lisa Barrett never planned to be a recording star. Still doesn't. She never planned to be a songwriter, either. But things have a way of changing. And earlier this year Barrett, 37, headed to Nashville,Tenn. — country music's capital city — to record a CD of original music. “It was just simply the chance of a lifetime,” Barrett said during an interview at P.W. Minor & Son in Batavia, where she is a returned goods clerk. The CD is actually a demo. The producer, Affinity Music, will shop it to music labels and agents who can get Barrett's songs on the radio and in stores — as recorded by Barrett, or by other artists. Which is fine with Barrett. For her, music isn't a road to fame and fortune. She had other things on her mind while recording. “I felt like, that was where I needed to be,” said Barrett, who lives in Batavia with her husband, Kyle, and their son Tyler, 9. “I've gotten to where I needed to be with this whole journey. “And I found the closure I needed to that whole story,” she said. Inspired by ‘an angel' The story starts in the summer of 2000, when Barrett's nephew Austin was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer. Austin, who was 15 months old at the time — “The sweetest child — just an angel,” Barrett says — was the son of Barrett's sister Gail and her husband Michael Bielanin. Austin enjoyed playing with his older brother Bryce, laughing along with Loonette and Molly on “The Big Comfy Couch” and dancing to Shania Twain. He also loved his aunt Lisa, who spent time in the family's Buffalo home to take care of Austin's older brother Bryce, who was 4 at the time. Austin succumbed to cancer in February 2001, three months short of his second birthday. Barrett believes she may have been seeking an outlet for her grief when she was inspired by a photograph of the boy. “I remember that moment to this day,” she said. “I ... looked at his face and I said out loud, ‘I can almost feel your touch when you look at me.'” She found some paper and started writing. Somehow, the words came easily. “I don't know where they came from,” she said. “They just all flowed; in a couple days I was done with the whole song.” Barrett sang at school and in church, but she'd never written songs before. Soon, she'd written more than a dozen of them — songs about her work day, her husband, romance. A family friend, Greg Allison of Rochester, recorded a CD in his home studio with only an electronic beat to keep her in rhythm. Barrett began to think about recording a professional demo. She consulted Better Business Bureau, and enlisted the help of an entertainment attorney who warned her against scam artists and bad deals. Barrett finally came across Affinity Music, which invited her to record her own music at Sound Control Studios in Nashville. On the CD, Barrett is accompanied by studio musicians and a backup singer. Up-tempo, upbeat Although inspired by sorrow, the music is generally upbeat and positive — a rock- inflected country sound. Barrett, who favors “catchy songs and a good beat,” said her music has been described as “new country.” “Punchin In, Punchin Out” is an up-tempo, humorous song about racing against the clock to get ready for work, get a kid to school, and punch in at the office. “One Shot” is another work-related song. In fact, it's about the returns department at P.W. Minor, and the one chance Barrett was given to prove herself in a new job. “Let's Roll” is a tribute to heroes of 9/11, and sets a positive message to a rock beat. “It affects people differently sometimes,” Barrett said. “Some people love it, and some people cry because they remember that day.” “Your're Shakin' Me Down” was inspired by an unrequited workplace crush (not her own, Barrett points out). Two songs — “I Belong to You” and “Makin' Time” — were inspired by her husband Kyle. Also included on Barrett's 10-track CD is “When You Look At Me,” which is the first song she wrote. Those words, spoken to a photograph — I feel your touch, so tenderly, when you look at me — became part of a love song. Affinity will continue to market the demo CD in the United States and Europe. Meanwhile, Barrett is promoting it at home; she plans to offer it to area radio stations, and is selling copies for $15. A portion of the proceeds will go to Buffalo-based Essential Care for Children, a pediatric home-care program that helped Austin during his illness. Barrett hopes the CD can raise awareness about childhood cancer. Barrett continues to write songs, and she's a little surprised about suddenly pursuing a music career. “I keep saying it feels like I was sprinkled with angel dust,” she says, laughing. “But no, I really feel somehow that — whether anyone believes it or not — that Austin is guiding me that way, that he's with me,” Barrett said. “I want to make a difference; I want to honor his memory and I want to raise more awareness for pediatric cancer research.” [back to top]

‘Punchin' In' to success

Batavia singer and songwriter lands first gig
By Raymond Coniglio
Assistant News Editor

BATAVIA - A Batavia songwriter who recorded her first CD of original
music earlier this year, has landed her first professional gig.
Lisa Barrett , 37, will perform with Buffalo classic-rock band Time
Pirates on Saturday at the Waterfront Art Festival in Canandaigua.
Barrett was invited to perform after one of her songs, "Punchin' In
Punchin' Out," was played this spring on a Rochester radio station's
Thursday-morning segment devoted to unsigned talent. Barrett 's up-tempo
country style caught the eye or ear of festival organizer Lynne Crawford.
"I don't really like country music that well, but I liked her music,"
Crawford said. "It was upbeat ? there was a different kind of feeling to it."
"It wasn't 'My dog died, my car crashed and my wife left me,'" she
joked. "My friends were surprised when I said I signed a country artist
for Saturday."
A week after the radio show, Crawford called Barrett .
"I started hyperventilating," Barrett said. "My first reaction was
total surprise ... and I was very touched to be sought out by someone.
"But then I thought, 'Oh, my God, I don't have a band.'"
Barrett was inspired to write her first song, "When You Look at Me," by
a photograph of her nephew Austin, who died of cancer in 2000 at the
age of 15 months. More songs followed, and Barrett was eventually
invited to record a demo CD in Nashville, Tenn. For the CD, Barrett was
backed by session musicians. After being asked to sing in Canandaigua,
she gave herself a week to find a backing band.
Austin was the son of Barrett 's sister, Gail, and her husband Michael
Bielanin, who is a Buffalo transit police officer. One of his fellow
officers, Bob Hunter, is drummer for the Time Pirates.
"They were gracious enough to do it," Barrett said. "They spent some
time learning on their own and then they brought me in (to rehearse)
last month."
Other than a "dry run" at a Hamburg club a few weeks ago, Barrett
hasn't sung in front of an audience since she was a teen-ager. And that
was in church and school. On Saturday, she'll get some support from her
sister Gayle, who will sing backup.
"Her and I haven't harmonized since we were kids," Barrett said.
Barrett works for PW Minor & Son in Batavia. She and her husband, Kyle,
live on Pringle Avenue.
Now, Barrett is hoping to form a band of her own. "I'm also writing
some new songs," she said. The Waterfront Art Festival is from 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Kershaw Park on Lakeshore Drive,
Canandaigua. Time Pirates will perform starting at 2 p.m. Saturday. Barrett
will join them on stage from 3 to 5 p.m. Concert admission is $3 for adults
and free for children age 12 and under.
Copies of Barrett 's self-titled CD will be for sale at the Waterfront
Art Festival headquarters booth. Price is $15. A portion of the
proceeds benefits Essential Care for Children, a Buffalo-area program
that helped Austin and his family.

www.lisabarrettcd.com

www.waterfrontartfestival.com

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