LOS ANGELES -- Sisu Productions has launched Teens for Theatre, a project to bring teenagers to the theatre for free. Sisu -- the Finnish word for courage -- has been a producing theatrical company in Los Angeles for the past two years, mounting new works by both published and unpublished playwrights. Recently company artistic director Kathryn Cousar and board member Jennifer Hamm decided to do something about the absence of teenagers in the theatre today.

"At a time when young people consider compelling story-telling to be an episode of "Beverly Hills 90210," we thought it was important to begin to expose them to the true brilliance of live theatre," Hamm said.

Several theatre companies have already made a commitment to the project by donating tickets and hundreds of teenagers in need of exposure to the performing arts have been approached. The demand for tickets far exceeds the current supply, said Cousar.

Sisu Productions is actively looking for a small number of tickets from local theatre organizations, both large and small. Sisu is committed to sending 250 teenagers to see a play by the end of the year. Interested organizations can call Sisu at (213) 463-5789.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent