The Chatham County Arts Council presents a special performance of "The Shape of Things" by Neil LaBute May 7 at 7 at The General Store Cafe in Pittsboro.

The play is produced, directed and performed by students of the department of dramatic art at UNC through the support of The Carolina Student Arts Grant.

This is director Barbara Harrison's first off-campus production. A senior dramatic art major, she grew up in New Jersey, performing at Ridgewood High School and Garage Theatre Group. Since coming to UNC, she has been an actor and director for Lab! Theatre. She has participated in the UNC in London program in theater studies, the the British American Drama Academy's Midsummer in Oxford program and the Burch Honors program with Julie Fishell.

"The Shape of Things" premiered at the Almeida Theatre in London in 2001, directed by playwright LaBute. Set on a midwestern college campus, the drama centers on the lives of four young students who become emotionally and romantically involved with each other. The play, provocative and intriguing, examines the meaning of art and asks: How far would you go for love? For art? What would you be willing to change? Which price might you pay?

LaBute says, "My plays are polarizing. People love them or loathe them."

The play's off-campus venue, The General Store Cafe's new expanded space, is well-suited to host cultural arts events. The General Store Cafe is in downtown Pittsboro across from the courthouse. Call (919) 542-2432

Seating for the performance is free. Donations are welcomed and will be used to fund ChathamArts mission to support cultural opportunities in Chatham County.