Though the production is still seven months away, the Smith theater department is already preparing to stage Habitat, a play by Canadian playwright Julia Jordan. Directed by theater department chair Ellen W. Kaplan, Habitat will serve as the kick-off show for the 2012-13 season. The play will run from October 12 to 13 and 18 to 20 at 8 p.m. in Theater 14 in Mendenhall Center.

It is unusual for a main stage production to begin so far ahead of the performance. Yet the play’s plot is uniquely relevant to the times.

“Habitat is interesting because it shows how people in their gated communities chose to make judgments on preconceived notions and judge each other in a classist manner,” said Kelley Rowland, who has been cast to play the role of Janet.

Habitat centers on a conflict that arises due to the idea of establishing a group home in a wealthy neighborhood. The neighbors’ response to rough, homeless kids moving in is “NIMBY – Not In My Back Yard.” The plot focuses on a troubled teenage girl named Raine whose mother dies of cancer, and explores themes of teenage rebellion, belonging, power and what it means to make a habitat – a home.

Kaplan read and decided to stage this play after the playwright was awarded the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn Prize in 2010. The Blackburn Prize is awarded annually to the best woman playwright. Kaplan considers Habitat one of the best works of the decade.

In it, “we see the complicated issues that underlie the problem, and the class struggle that can so easily put the kids back out on the street,” said Kaplan.

“The dates of the production will coincide with the Global Leadership Initiative in October, along with the kick-off of Smith’s Capital Campaign, and the second weekend of performances take place on Family Weekend, so we expect to have a lot of guests on campus,” said Kaplan. “We know that our October production will be a high-profile event, and we think Habitat is a perfect play to produce for Smith students, families and guests.”

The auditions for the show were conducted last week, April 2 to 4, and over 25 people auditioned.

Rehearsals for the show begin as soon as the fall term starts, and the cast will even meet a few times during the summer. On average, the cast and crew will rehearse about 15 hours a week for six weeks until the show goes up. The cast and crew encourage students to mark the dates and see the show with friends and family.