No Refund Theatre members will bring a story of interracial friendship to life as they present Athol Fugard's "Master Harold"...and the Boys at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday in 111 Forum.

The play, set in South Africa during the 1950s, illustrates the effects of Apartheid and the challenges it presents to a relationship between a white boy and two black men.

Director Tom Bowler (junior-English and statistics) was already familiar with the script from a theatre class when he volunteered last semester to take on an NRT directing project.

"I liked it so much that I felt like I just had to give other people a chance to experience it," Bowler said.

Bowler has been involved with NRT, a nonprofit, student-run organization, since his freshman year, taking part in original and existing plays.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for students of any background and any major to get involved in any aspect of theatre without any experience," he said.

Bowler said this show has presented several challenges for him as a director, beginning with the casting process. After a less-than-ideal turn out at auditions, Bowler was able to cast just one actor in the show.

Nicholas Faehl (sophomore-English) auditioned for the show in an attempt to revisit the acting he did in high school and earned the role of Harold, or Hally, the character who represents Fugard in his semi-autobiographical play.

"He's really racist, but he tries not to show it," Faehl said of his character.

Bowler then posted advertisements around campus for the two black, male actors necessary to produce the show.

Walter DeShields (senior-English) responded to one of the fliers out of previous interest in the script and was cast as Sam, a waiter and father figure to young Hally. Jerrell Henderson (senior-theater and African and African American studies) had previously been involved in NRT and was e-mailed to audition for the show. Henderson said he felt it was definitely a script worth spending time on and decided to audition, earning the role of Willie.

With casting complete by late spring, the actors had a chance to work on their lines over the summer before a three-week rehearsal period began fall semester.

Three weeks was also the time frame for Bowler and his crewmembers to complete all work on the set, costumes, lighting, budget, programs and advertising.

"That has definitely been an additional challenge," he said. "It's been crunch-time from the get-go."

Bowler said this play is different from most other NRT productions, which are typically comedies, simply because it deals with serious social issues.

"It's a reminder of the challenges we face in trying to embrace a diverse community," he said. "We haven't overcome a lot of issues this play exposes."

DeShields said the show is powerful because it deals with relationships in terms of age differences as well as race differences.

"It may apply to the average person's life," he said. "They might learn something from it."

Henderson agreed, adding that the play features a time and place no one really thinks about anymore.

"This show has the potential to open your eyes to a world you've never seen," he said.

Admission to the play is free.