New York's Ensemble Studio Theatre and Youngblood will present Thicker Than Water, four new one-act plays by members of Youngblood.

Performances are scheduled to begin Dec. 4 with an official opening night set for Dec. 7.

Youngblood is a program that was created by the Ensemble Studio Theatre in 1993 to introduce young playwrights (between the ages of 18 and 25) to the world of professional theatre.

The evening of one-acts marks a coming of age for Youngblood, in that it is the first time that the work of the group will be presented in full production for both public and press. The plays and authors are:

Woodwind Hypotheses,by Sharon Eberhardt, is an exploration of a dark, complex sibling relationship. Peg Denithorne directs. Sockdolager, by Christopher Shinn, deals with a confrontation between a bright young male computer programmer and a volatile Cuban American woman. The director is Jimmy Bohr.

Knot Stew, by John Belluso (the recipient of the 1995 John Golden Playwriting Prize), about a woman who is being spooked either by a ghost from the past or by her present landlord. Chris Smith directs.

A Litany of Sorrows, by David Zellnick, about a woman who is on a self-imposed "Tour of Horrific Disasters of the 20th Century." The director is Gus Rogerson.

The evening of one-acts will run through Dec. 21 at Youngblood's performing space, 539 W. 52nd St. between 10th and 11th Aves. For tickets, call (212) 247-4982.

-- By Rebecca Paller