A one-woman play will reveal the realities of abusive relationships to students at 8 p.m. tonight in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium.

The play is sponsored by Program Board and is a part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, said Allegan senior Carrie Lewis, Program Board cultural events co-chair.

“I’m sure the audience will be in for a shock,” said Matt Burza, Program Board president. “The topic is something no one wants to talk about but everyone should hear.”

Burza, an Allegan senior, said the play will be an extension of the “No Zebras” show freshmen view during orientation.

The show will last about 90 minutes with a discussion session after the show, Lewis said. Students from Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates (SAPA) will be on site throughout the performance for anyone who feels compelled to speak with someone during the show, she said.

“We will have about 15 SAPAs that will be in the back of the room who can follow people into the hallway and talk to them if they want to, but it is 100 percent confidential as always,” said Steve Thompson, director of Sexual Aggression Services.

An actor from Deana’s Educational Theatre in Stoneham, Mass. will perform the show. According the theatre’s Web site, the show will help students recognize warning signs of abuse, help those who are victims of abuse, understand the abuse cycle and access community resources.

“This play will give the audience a more personal account of what can and has happened to this woman in the past and what you can learn from her experiences,” Burza said.

For more information about the play, visit acttoprevent.org.

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