The original meaning of rape conjured images of wartime plundering of villages, and seizing and carrying women away by force. Centuries later this legal definition has changed to sex against a victim's will.

Tonight the State College Area's Alternative Program political theater class will present "Stand Up --Speak Out," a three section play concerning sexual assault written and performed by students.

"The purpose of the play is to dispel stereotypes of sexual assault, and to make people aware of what rape really is," said Kelly Bower, counselor of domestic violence at the Centre County Women's Resource Center.

The theme of sexual assault was chosen by Karen Stoehr and Marilyn Goldfarb, political theater teachers at the Alternative Program School. Stoehr said they chose this theme because domestic violence and sexual assault are major issues these days and students should know about them.

The Alternative Program includes curriculum for both accelerated and learning-disabled high school students.

The Alternative Program classes are divided into three cycles. One cycle concentrates on one theme, such as this year's sexual assault theme. Under Stoehr and Goldfarb's teaching and directing, the students developed technical information into a theatrical presentation.

The students worked in conjunction with the Women's Resource Center, which provided information on sexual assault for the first four days of class. During the month of January, the Center became the students' main source of information for their writing, Stoehr said.

The Women's Resource Center wished to get students interested in creating an educational play, she said. The Center recently relocated to a new facility next door to the school. This made technical information more accessible to the students.

"The students definitely learned a lot. The classroom cycle ended last week, but the students kept practicing. They worked above and beyond the call of duty," Stroehr said.

Twenty students from seventh through twelfth grade act in the play. Any interested student was allowed to participate.

The opening scene is a woman in a courtroom, recounting her experience with rape. She met her assailant in a singles bar, returned home with him, and attempted to stop his unwanted advances. The man raped the woman, justifying himself with "she said no, but everything else said yes." Two commentators, called "the attitudes," express opposing views; one says the girl was asking for it, the other says she was victim to a crime.

The second section highlights different kinds of sexual assault. Seven women, each an assault victim, form a support group and share their personal experiences, followed by reenactments.

The final section deals with the prevention of sexual assault. Information is delivered on stranger and acquaintance rape, student poetry is read and several songs are sung, as the students join hands for the finale.

Several members of the Women's Center attended Wednesday night's dress rehearsal. One woman even cried, Stroehr said.

"The play is an educational opportunity. It is interesting and entertaining, a way to get good information, plus, it's pretty incredible," Stroehr said.

A one-time only performance will be held tonight at 7:30 pm at the Fairmount Elementary/Alternative Program Building, 411 South Fraser Street. Tickets are $2, proceeds to benefit the Women's Resource Center.