Need to brush up on your communication skills? Learn a lesson or two from the production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof performed by No Refund Theatre (NRT) at 8 p.m. this Saturday in 111 Forum. The show is free, but donations are welcome.

The play by Tennessee Williams is set in the south between the 1940s and 1950s. It is Big Daddy Pollitt's 65th birthday party and he is relieved that he received a report stating that he does not have cancer. Despite the report, however, he does have cancer. Only their two sons, Brick and Gooper, and their wives, Maggie and Mae, know the secret.

"Big Daddy is fed up with his family, and has to deal with a lot," said Jason Poorman (senior-integrative arts), who plays Big Daddy and is performing in his first NRT show.

Not only is he an interesting character to play, but he is also very sympathetic because he has fears we all have, like death," he added.

But the thought of their father having cancer only sparks one thought amongst the sons -- who will get Big Daddy's inheritance? Brick and Maggie seem to have an advantage since Brick is the favorite son, and his parents are looking forward to him and Maggie having a child.

But then again Gooper and his wife Mae, think they deserve the money since they have children, while Brick and Maggie only want the money in order to continue living their lavish lifestyle.

And so the race begins.

"Brick is a fun character, because it is somebody who is so different from me, and is dealing with so many different situations," said Randolph Pfaff (senior-psychology), who plays Brick in his first NRT play.

"Because he is an alcoholic, he blocks out everyone's problems including his own by drinking," Pfaff said. And sippin' on grandpa's cough syrup isn't the only problem Brick has.

Brick and his wife Maggie are not the best couple. Not only is Maggie trying to win Big Daddy's money, but more importantly she is also trying to gain favor with Brick.

This is a challenging role to play, said Danielle Quinn (sophomore-advertising), who plays Maggie. "She is assertive, strong, and always longing for the love of her husband, who wants nothing to do with her," Quinn said. This is Quinn's fourth NRT show.

So Maggie takes her assertiveness and comes up with a lie in order to make sure she will get the inheritance -- she announces she is pregnant. May and Gooper know she is lying, so more problems arise among the family.

"This play is very heavy and has a lot of depth," Pfaff said. "In a short period of time, this play develops each character well and says a lot about them."

Pfaff also said the theme in this play is about communicating with people in your life and what happens if you don't communicate or keep secrets.

"This play is also about the importance of truth," Poorman said. "It also portrays the underlying issues within family structures," he said.

Director Susannah Salmon (senior-integrative arts) was first introduced to the play from one of her theatre history classes. She supplied many of the major pieces for the set including her own bed, a couch, and a vanity. She has been part of NRT for four years now, and this is the third play she has directed.

"I chose this play mainly because I felt that it was a show everyone could relate with on some level," Salmon said. "Whether it is the lack of communication in your relationships, the hardships of addictions, the fear of loss, etc. this play has something for everyone," she said.

Salmon wanted to stress that a play like this doesn't just happen overnight.

"The chemistry that occurred between my actors came because they not only worked hard and were talented, but because they created true friendships with each other and that was one of the main things that drove this play," she said.