UPSTAGE will present two performances of "Gruesome Playground Injuries" by Rajiv Joseph on Tuesday, April 26, and Wednesday, April 27, at 7 p.m. in the Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts Theatre at Coastal Carolina University. The production is free and open to the public. The show is not suitable for patrons under the age of 13.

The play follows the relationship of Doug and Kayleen through a series of nonlinear vignettes that spans three decades after they meet in a school nurse's office. The two navigate friendship and love and everything that lies in between, and they build a connection that is complex in nature as they endure a lifetime of physical and emotional injuries. "Gruesome Playground Injuries" has been described as a different type of love story with sharp humor and sharper insights.

Joseph is an American playwright and a Pulitzer-Prize finalist. His plays, including "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo" and "The North Pool," have been produced across the country. Joseph is also known for his work on the Showtime series "Nurse Jackie" and the film "Draft Day" starring Kevin Costner and Jennifer Garner.

B.F.A. acting majors Michael Onofaro and Mikayla Goetz will play Doug and Kayleen, respectively. The creative team includes Brian Marshall, Matthew Holcombe, Sarah Stipe, Ashley Gibert, Karli Cole and J.P. McLaurin.

UPSTAGE is a student-run theatre company in residence at Coastal Carolina University. The company is committed to producing high-quality, student-produced theatre for the CCU community. The club produced "Marisol" and "The Vagina Monologues" during the 2015-2016 season at CCU.

The Edwards Theatre is in Room 117 of the Edwards Building, located at 133 Chanticleer Drive on the Conway campus.

Tickets are not required, but seating is limited. To reserve a seat, visit ticketreturn.com, call 843-349-ARTS (2787) or visit the Wheelwright Auditorium box office at 108 Spadoni Park Circle on the Conway campus. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

For more information about UPSTAGE or the production, contact McLaurin at mclaurinjp@gmail.com or 864-884-0338.