A white painting can be art. Or at least that is what No Refund Theatre will argue this weekend when the student theater group performs its next show, "Art."

"Art," a play by Yasmina Reza that raises questions about art and friendship, concerns three long-time friends, Serge, Marc and Yvan.

Serge, indulging his desire for modern art, buys a large, expensive, completely white painting. Marc is horrified and their relationship suffers considerable damage as a result of their differing opinions about what constitutes "art." Yvan, caught in the middle of the conflict, tries to please and placate both of them.

"It's basically about three friends who all appreciate art. One buys a white painting and the course of the show is how they deal with art. It's three views on art," Ryan Simmons (junior-media studies), cast member, said.

Jesse Cramer (sophomore-English), director of the show, said he was first introduced to the show by his parents and he loved it right away.

"My parents saw it on Broadway and so I went out and bought the script. I fell in love with it. I've been looking for a place to have it performed and it's perfect for NRT. It's a simple set which is good for NRT," Cramer said.

For the actors the hardest part of the show has been memorization.

"The script is thick so memorizing my lines has been difficult. There are long monologues and philosophical dialogues between the characters," Simmons said.

Chris Sterbank (senior-film and video) said his character has a two-and-a-half page monologue that is written in a sort of stream of consciousness.

"[My monologue] is my character's ramblings about the art problem. It is literally written in a one sentence ramble which is a lot of fun to do," Sterbank said.

Simmons said his favorite part of performing the show is portraying his character.

"I get to be over-the-top pretentious with my character because he is a big-time jerk. It's fun to take it over the edge because it's not an everyday thing," Simmons said.

Directing the show has been going well, Cramer said. He said the actors really know what they are doing so it's been easy for him.

"I'm not worried about characterization because the actors are really good. I think the set, design and technical aspects have been the hardest part of the show. Getting them to mesh is hard. It's hard to portray three styles, three personalities, three apartments on stage," Cramer said.

Simmons said that the show teaches important lessons about friendship.

"The show is about dynamics of friendship. It questions relationships. Why are we friends? And it teaches us that we really can't appreciate anything until we destroy it," Simmons said.

Most importantly Cramer said the show is funny.

"There is a hysterical climax and it's a comedy with meaning. It's not a skit about modern art -- art actually means nothing when it comes down to it. It is about the birth and death of friendship but it isn't a downer. You'll leave feeling uplifted," Cramer said.

As always, the show will be held Friday and Saturday nights at 8 in 111 Forum, and it's free.

"There aren't too many opportunities for free theater. It's a nice thing to enjoy," Simmons said.

They unanimously agreed the show is for everyone. Everyone can enjoy the show and appreciate the meaning.

"It's definitely a show for all sorts of people. There's something for everyone because it's funny and thoughtful," Simmons said.

Sterbank described it simply as "a diamond in the rough."