South Coast Repertory Teen Players Present World Premiere Of CURSED.

Cursed., by Kristina Leach, will be presented by South Coast Repertory's Teen Players in the Nicholas Studio, May 12-20. The play was commissioned by SCR for the students in its Theatre Conservatory. The show is directed by Hisa Takakuwa. Tickets are available at www.scr.org.

No one knows you like family. In the Underworld the brute, the favorite, the hero and her boyfriend play cards and ignore the past. When their last surviving sister comes banging on the door, they're forced to confront the secrets, the battles and the curses that sealed their fate long ago. Join the Teen Players as they bring to life a gripping, powerful-and surprisingly funny-continuation of the classic Greek story of Antigone.

"The play is a clever and entertaining rehash of Sophocles' Antigone through the eyes and experiences of Oedipus' young adult children," said Takakuwa. "It examines the power of family ties and history, how perception and memory influence 'truth,' how love can be both chaotic and creative, and how we are responsible for our choices and actions. As always with a Players show, the production will hopefully speak strongly in the voice of its young performers. I think the piece will be intellectually and emotionally challenging for our audiences in the best of ways. True to Kristina's style it will be fun and surprising as well, and will hopefully lead audiences to reflect on their own lives and relationships. The piece asks a lot from this young ensemble, and we'll be really excited to share this brand new journey and creation with our audiences."

Leach is a playwright, actor, director and teacher who has worked in theatre for more than 15 years. Her award-winning plays have been produced in New York and Los Angeles and in the U.K. In SCR's Theatre Conservatory, she has taught kids, teens and adults. She also worked for seven seasons as an associate in SCR's literary department. She is an alumna of California State University, Fullerton.

All the characters are portrayed by the Teen Players, students (grades 9-12), chosen by audition after at least two years in SCR's Theatre Conservatory, a year-round actor training program.

"Each year in selecting a Teen Player script I try to find new educational challenges that will push our young actors in new ways-to learn and strengthen their skills as actors and to deepen their overall understanding of theatre," Takakuwa said.

The design and creative team includes Angela Calin, set design; Kaitlyn Kaufman, costume design; Kristin Neu-Drum, lighting design; Jordan Masami Tani, sound design; Josh Marchesi, production manager; and Amber Goebel, stage manager.

Dates: Saturday, May 12, at 4 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, May 13, at 1:30 and 5 p.m.; Friday, May 18, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 19, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, May 20, at 1:30 and 5 p.m. Tickets: $12 general admission tickets may be purchased through the SCR Box Office at (714) 708-5555 or online at www.scr.org.