K eep it real. That is the first word of advice to actors. Develop the character, find the truth and keep it real.

Well, it seems to me that the best way to "keep it real" is to actually involve yourself with a reality.

DECK (or How I Instigated Then Overcame an Existential Crisis Through Home Improvement) plays for one night, Friday, Nov.

23, at Surrey Arts Centre's Studio Theatre, 8 p.m.

They are keeping it very real: the deck will be built on stage. And the whole existential crisis is, of course, a stage of life when an individual questions the very foundations of life. You know, does my life have any real value, and what is the meaning of life? Apparently this meaning of life can be discovered by building a deck. Why not?

Written and performed by Lucas Meyers, DECK is a darkly hilarious look at the fine line between perfectionism and obsession, chaos and freedom, and why a piece of 2x6 lumber isn't really two inches by six inches. Not even close. This is one of the reasons why reality is so darn difficult.

A "Recession Relief Sale" ticket price is $15 (down from $30 and $33), including all fees. For info, call the box office at Surrey Arts Centre at 604-5015566, or visit 13750 88th Ave. Tickets can also be purchased online at tickets. surrey.ca.

This show could be amusing. Meyers plays multiple characters, and it features original music, sharp observational humour and a deck actually built by the audience.

The show comes with a warning of "adult material and situations; may not be appropriate for all audiences." There's more.

Dick's Lumber in Surrey is supporting this production by supplying the materials for the deck that will be constructed during the show. One lucky audience member will actually win the deck. I mean, get real.

Writing a play - and one that people will actually want to see - is a daunting task. Technical aspects of live theatre plus a good plot, interesting characters and a message must be skillfully woven to create something that can be presented in about one and a half hours of real time. It does take some talent and training to actually write a good script.

Theatre BC has been a parent organization for community theatre across the province since 1932. It annually hosts Mainstage, a competition among community theatre companies each July. As well as holding this annual province-wide competition, Theatre BC has also supported a national playwriting competition for about 20 years. This competition was suspended in 2010. But now, Theatre BC is delighted to announce its rebirth in the form of an annual British Columbia playwriting competition.

"The national playwriting competition was one of our most popular programs and one that we fully supported as an organization," says Randy Poulis, vice-president of operations.

"Now it's back but we've chosen to focus on the playwrights of British Columbia."

As well as plays by British Columbian authors, the competition also encourages submissions by aboriginal and young authors from across the province. This is your opportunity to take a chance and become a playwright. The Provincial Playwriting Competition is open to original scripts of drama or comedy, either full-length or one-act.

Deadline for entry is Dec. 31. Independent jurors will decide upon winners in each category, with a prize of $1,000 awarded for the chosen full-length, $750 for the one-act and $500 for a script of special merit. Competition details and entry forms are available online at www.theatrebc. org. Keep in mind the deadline; get on it now. And remember to keep it real.

Surrey Little Theatre is a longtime member of Theatre BC and does participate in the TBC Zone Festival competition every year. One play of the season is designated as the festival play. Catch Me if You Can is SLT's first production for this season. It is not the festival play for Theatre BC, but just thought you might like to know about the holdover. This comedy-thriller-mystery has two

holdover dates, on Friday, Nov. 23 and Saturday, Nov. 24, at 8 p.m both nights.

Tickets are $15 and can be reserved at 604-576-8451. Surrey Little Theatre is located at 7027 184th St., about a half block north of Fraser Highway at the top of beautiful Clayton Hill. melminty@telus.net