'Letters to Daddy' sends anti-bullying message

Middletown — Orange County youth will star in the premiere of "Letters to Daddy: The Musical Key to Bully Free" at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6, at Orange Hall on the Middletown campus of SUNY Orange. This musical stage production aims to empower children through positive messages and songs in response to challenging social issues, like bullying. The program also encourages organizations throughout the county to work together. "Letters" is a collaboration by the Orange County Department of Social Services, Youth Bureau, System of Care, Probation, and other county departments and local nonprofits. "We work diligently to provide a safe, nurturing environment for our youth to help them understand and tackle the challenges of being a young person in today's social environment," said Orange County Executive Edward Diana. "Through 'Letters to Daddy' we hope to raise awareness of important issues, like bullying, for young people, their families, and their teachers and help all to understand that each one of us has the power to make choices and take actions that will make a difference. I hope that our Orange County schools will take advantage of the many opportunities to get involved with 4e and the 'Letters to Daddy' program." The premiere will be followed by a tour of community performances, including a show at Warwick High School on Thursday, Oct. 20, and in Newburgh at Mount St. Mary College on Thursday, Oct. 27. Rehearsals are underway at the Acting Out Playhouse in Warwick with a group of local children. "Letters to Daddy" aims to build children's self-esteem and help them to relate to their peers. 4e Production, LLC was formed as a multimedia production company that balances entertainment with education to create original programs that address universal social. The company name "4e" stands in for "Enlighten, Empower and Enrich Everyone." For more information email connector@4eproductions.com or call 787-3160.