Known for its new works and edgy, in-your-face productions, City Theater Company reaches out to the next generation with Fairytale Slam-a program of all-new works entirely conceived, written, and performed by local high school students. The coffeehouse-style shows are offered two nights only, Saturday March 8th and Saturday March 9th, in CTC's new black box space: OperaDelaware Studios at 4 South Poplar Street on the Wilmington waterfront.

Producing Artistic Director Michael Gray is thrilled to be able to offer "a place for adolescents to work with theatre professionals and experience what it is like to work on quirky, cool works for the stage." The idea of producing Fairytale Slam was born last spring, when City Theater Company opened its doors to a group of local teens whose original works were not permitted to appear on a school stage due to the raw content. CTC sponsored the hit event and decided to commit to this younger set by helping them create new works in an uncensored forum.

Guiding the creative process are director Georgiana Staley and playwright Matt Casarino, CTC mainstays who have written, directed, and performed all over Delaware. Staley "was driven to do this because as a teen actor, I wanted a challenge; something that made me feel like an artist. I hope that by introducing these kids to the whole creative process, I am helping to spark their interests to learn more."

Casarino agrees."We want these kids to create pieces that tell dramatic stories, but we also want them to feel free to comment on their own lives. Not many theatre companies are willing to allow teenagers that kind of freedom. It's fascinating to help take their incredibly creative ideas and craft them into theatre pieces that tell a story. The exciting result? Teens will get to see many of the issues they face presented in an unusual concept, and adults will get a peek into the things that really matter to these kids. It will be a really entertaining night."

AGES 12 & up. TICKET INFO: $5 General Admission. Tickets are only available at the door. Visit www.city-theater.org for more information.