MICA presents a student production of The Pillowman, an award-winning play by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh.

Pillowman tells the story of a fiction writer living in an unnamed police state who is interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories, and their similarities to a number of bizarre child murders occurring in his town.

The production opens Thursday, March 30, at BBOX, Gateway, 1601 W. Mount Royal Ave. Performances are scheduled Thursday to Sunday, March 30 through April 9. All shows begin at 8 p.m.

Produced by MICA’s Rivals of the West Theatre Company, which is led by MICA faculty Christopher Shipley and Frank Fantauzzi, the Pillowman is part of a yearlong course that teaches students how to plan and execute a professional-level production from start to finish. Students collaborate on costume design and fabrication, set design and construction, and stage management. Students are also cast to act all the roles in the play.

Founded in 2009, Rivals of the West is dedicated to providing students hands-on, real-world experience in theater production, and has staged productions of Hair, Blackbird andJailbait, among others.

Tickets are available in person at the MICA Store, online at store.mica.edu or at the door on the day of the performance. $12 general and $5 student admission.