The struggle for humans to genuinely connect in a world experiencing information overload forms the basis of the latest USC Theatre production.

Love and Information, written by playwright Caryl Churchill, will be brought to life by six Theatre and Performance students, directed by USC Lecturer in Theatre and Performance Dr Natasha Budd.

“Despite the title, this play is no love story,” Dr Budd said.

“It’s quite a confronting stage production at times and forces the audience to think about what kind of information is truly important to them. What makes their lives more full or meaningful?”

Described by The New York Times as a “sharp-minded, tender-hearted play that embraces an ultimately random universe”, the production is broken up in to seven different parts made up of short vignettes featuring more than 70 characters.

Dr Budd said the multiple characters and themes combined with the unique structure of the script has forced the group of third and fourth year theatre students out of their comfort zones.

“The script is purely words on a page without any context or even names assigned to characters, so every production of this play is slightly different based on how the actors choose to apply the script,” she said.

“The number of different characters also means students have to navigate quick changes in physicality, focus and emotion. For actors early in their training this is a big challenge, but every student has risen to the occasion and we’re excited to bring the play to life in front of a live audience.”

Love and Information will be performed at The Lind Lane Theatre in Nambour on Thursday 21 February at 7.30pm and Friday 22 February at 2pm and 7.30pm.

“The Lind have kindly donated the theatre free-of-charge in support of the youth performing arts scene here on the Sunshine Coast,” Dr Budd said.

“It’s a wonderful community-minded gesture for which USC is very grateful.”

Tickets are $10 and can be booked at www.lindlane.com.au

All profits from ticket sales will be directed back to the theatre.