One of the most interesting ways to learn about a person is through his or her personal belongings. In many schools, children reveal themselves in exactly this way when their teachers ask them to bring something in for a session of "show and tell."

In the School of Theatre's production of Show & Tell, a young teacher named Corey (Laura Ames) gives that assignment to her class, but something goes horribly wrong. The show begins at 8 p.m. tomorrow at the School of Theatre's Playhouse.

Corey leaves the room for just a minute to find a harp she has left in the teacher's lounge. She returns at the instant a massive explosion rocks her classroom and kills all that are inside. She struggles to learn why she was spared, and during this process, Corey has to work with the government forensic team to piece together what few clues remain in the rubble.

The forensic team, led by Seth (Alex Robertson), consists of trained professionals who have learned to not be affected by the devastation all around them. Iris (Wendy Windle), the ice-cold coroner, is only interested in examining the faceless corpses, identifying them and then moving on to the next tragedy.

Sharon (Terri Park), another investigator, knows how to keep the mood light with her jokes and sarcasm, no matter how tragic the situation. Then there is Ann (Emily Lynn Miller), a hard working assistant who wants to transfer to the disaster team because the parks and recreation department is just not as interesting as death and carnage.

Once the forensic team is in place and begins their investigation, they also have to start dealing with all of the grieving families, who do not want to leave the school until the remains of their children are released.

Farstead (Jarvis George) is a father of one of the deceased and seems to be the spokesman for the grieving parents. Erinn (Monifi Jones) and Gail (Kristi Funk) are two other mothers trying to deal with their losses. Erinn looks for answers from God, while Gail is so sedated she is hardly ever conscious. Lucy (Mallery McClure) is a grandmother who tries to hold the group together through gentle reasoning.

The whole scene plays out on a sparsely furnished stage with only a table, chairs and blackboard. This helps the audience to feel the cold, harsh emotions evoked from such a senseless tragedy.

Another great aspect of the show that helps to convey the gloomy atmosphere of the performance is the lighting design. Since it would be difficult to portray a demolished classroom with corpses strewn everywhere, the lighting helps the actors to present the show without the goriness that it entails.

Show & Tell is a great show that is acted well by all of the performers. There is not one single weak link in the ensemble. It is easy for the audience to believe that these people are truly grieving the loss of their children and that the forensic team is working as hard as they possibly can to find out the cause of the explosion.

This is a show that will make the audience think and reflect upon the recent acts of violence that have plagued our nation's schools. For anyone who has ever been affected by violence, whether it is accidental or intentional, they will be moved by this gripping, thought provoking play.

No one will leave the theatre without being influenced by the powerful performance of the cast.

Show & Tell runs through March 31 and concludes that day with two performances at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets cost $6.50 for each show.