The theatre school at CA's North Coast Repertory Theater presents the uplifting tale A Thousand Crane March 8-March 21.

A Thousand Cranes tells of what happened at Hiroshima -- specifically to one young girl, ten years after the atomic bomb hit. Hospitalized with cancer, Sadako Saski attempts to make herself well again through a Japanese legend: once an origami crane is folded, the gods will grant the artist a wish. This play begs for the world to work towards peace.

Cranes is presented by the theatre school section of the Rep. Every semester the classes come together in the end to stage a production. In their fall term they presented Pinocchio. In the summer, the Rep will host a workshop for children.

The school teaches classes for students 2nd-12th grade. They also have a theatre outreach program for local junior high and high schools.

For this production, schools are brought in to observe kids their own age in theatre. Tickets to A Thousand Cranes are currently on sale, $5 for adults and $3 for children. Call toll-free (888)776-NCRT for reservations or information.

-- by Becki Heller