University theater majors are creating performance opportunities for themselves through an exclusively undergraduate organization.

Two years ago, For Undergraduate Theater Students was developed as a base for independent student-run productions. After lying pseudo-dormant since then, the group was recently rejuvenated by a surge of freshman and sophomore interest.

All theater department undergraduates are automatic members in the group, FUTS advisor Joseph A. Blotner (senior-theater) said. By participating in productions, actors are gaining experience in acting, directing, and sound and light designing, he said.

Tonight, actors will spotlight their experience when FUTS presents James Lepine's comedy Table Settings at 7:30 and 9:30 in 6 Arts Building. Table Settings assistant director, Debbie Gottfeld (freshman-theater) said the play is a spoof on family sitcoms. Centered on a yuppy American household, the play examines how disintegrating morals and values are forking families apart.

Cast member Blotner described the play as "The Donna Reed family, gone bad."

Blotner, who is portraying a 65-year-old grandmother, said FUTS is allowing him to play a part unusual for a male college student.

"When you have 150 students in a department, those who are passionate and concerned will work. FUTS provides an outlet for them," theater professor Helen Manfull said.

Graduates bring to their roles maturity, four years of performance experience and a professional actors' training program. University undergraduates are trained in a more technical manor, she said.

"The undergraduate theater program is very much controlled by graduate students," Andre Barette (junior-theater) said. " A lot of the technical work and major roles are done by them."

Bill Gabelhausen (graduate-theater) said he finds it unfortunate that University theater undergraduates are not given a chance to perform more roles. One reason for the scarcity is the faculty's tendency to select advanced students to portray elderly characters, rather than piling makeup on younger faces.

He said he does not believe having segregated undergraduate and graduate plays would be wise.

"We, the grad students, have as much to learn from them as they have to learn from us," Gabelhausen said.

Although Imaginary Invalid included a substantial number of freshmen and sophomores, and Mother Courage's children were played by undergraduates, not all productions have been as well mixed.

For instance, one faculty member and three graduates composed the cast of On The Verge and the five performers in Majestic Kid are pursuing advanced studies.

Jill Kanoff, University Resident Theater Company publicity director, said the faculty attempts to include as many undergraduates as possible in department productions.

"I can honestly say that they try to cast the best person for the role," Kanoff said.