SIMI HIGH CLASS WORKS AT PLAY.

Byline: Alicia Doyle Daily News Staff Writer

Nine days before performing the lead role in "Pandora's Box" at Simi Valley High School, Johnny Iucci was more worried about writing the final two acts than opening night jitters.

"I'm not worried about having it done," said Iucci, 17. "I'm worried about people remembering their new lines, and being on cue, and showing up."

Iucci isn't the only one who's stressed.

Since the beginning of the school year, the teen-age cast and crew has brainstormed, rehearsed, written, re-written and changed the script dozens of times for its 90-minute performance.

Aside from a subtle suggestion here and there, the cast has been entirely on its own.

Acting teacher Tad Butts said that's the whole idea.

"The ones who have been in my class before know what they're in for," said Butts, who requires his students to write, direct, choreograph and stage their own plays. "Other students may think 'Oh, performing arts - easy A.' "

But for the aspiring young actors and actresses at Simi Valley High, the drama class is anything but easy.

The syllabus dictates daily after-school rehearsals and unconditional dedication. In between studying their lines and script changes, students must also juggle other classes and maintain good grades.

Still, they have smoothly managed to put together a play based on a common teen-age dilemma.

"Pandora's Box" is based on a day in the life of Kayne, a teen-age slacker immersed in a dysfunctional family. With his mother newly re-married, Kayne is trying his best to adjust with a new stepfather and stepsisters.

Confined one day to his bedroom, contemplating school and family problems, Kayne receives a box from his grandmother to help him with his troubles.

The box is filled with several ghosts - archetypes - of Kayne's personality. Seeing a mirror image of his own vanity, hostility and failure, Kayne discovers a new understanding of his situation.

"It took us a few weeks to develop this and get everything right," said Nelson Lopez, a senior and director of the play. "But we had the freedom to go anywhere we wanted to go."

The class came up with the plot for "Pandora's Box" in September, when Butts told them to elaborate their story on one concept - grounded.

Butts came up with the idea based on a particular experience he had back in high school.

"I remember my friend's brother was grounded for one year," Butts said. "He literally created his whole life in his bedroom."

Using Butts' one word as a guide, the class knew they wanted to base their play on a teen-ager - Kayne. They also knew they wanted the story to revolve around a day in Kayne's bedroom.

Elaborating on their own past experiences, the class brainstormed until they came up with Kayne's alter-egos. They wanted the play to reflect their own frustrations and fears, while expressing their needs as young adults.

"I think it's more creative for them to write their own plays than rely on other people's prepackaged material," said Butts. "Performing someone else's play would limit their imaginations."

The class toyed with many ideas before coming up with "Pandora's Box." At first, they couldn't decide if the main character should be male or female. They briefly contemplated having the story revolve around a guy who reads storybooks.

Ultimately, they are happy with what they have accomplished.

"We're proud of this play," said Colby Verrett, 17, assistant director. "We've done everything that a main stage could do on a school budget. The whole class gets really into it."

THE PLAY

WHAT: The Simi Valley High School Dramatics will present "Pandora's Box."

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday Jan. 19 through Feb. 3 and 5 p.m. Jan. 27.

WHERE: Simi Valley High School Little Theater, 5400 Cochran St. Room D-7.

COST: $4 donation.

INFORMATION: [phone].

CAPTION(S):

PHOTO[ordinal indicator, masculine]CHART

Photo (1--SIMI and CONEJO--color) Tad Butts, who teaches history and theater arts at Simi Valley High, created the student drama program. (2--CONEJO only) Nelson Lopez, center, is director and Colby Verrett, right, is assistant director of "Pandora's Box." Dusty Locke/Special to the Daily News Box THE PLAY (see text)