Someday Theatre Northwest at Indiana University Northwest will find a new, permanent home on campus. But until then -- as they say in the business -- "the show must go on."

Since Theatre Northwest lost its performance venue following last September's campus flood, they have been playing, not performing, musical theater. Last fall the Department of Performing Arts staged "Death of a Salesman" at Hammond's Towle Theater. In the spring, the actors returned to campus for a production of "The Velveteen Rabbit" at the Savannah Center.

Now they're back this summer with an edgy summer staging of "Death Defying Acts," three one-act pieces written by acclaimed writers Woody Allen, David Mamet and Elaine May.

"Generally we do a musical in the summer but we shifted gears because of the flood," said director Jerry Taylor, IU Northwest Associate Professor of Performing Arts. "We haven't done a comedy in awhile. This will be good for the students who'll gain experience in the timing and pacing of comedy."

This time the play will take place in the Raintree Hall auditorium.

"It's a very intimate setting," Taylor said. "It's continental seating -- there are no bad seats."

Segments in "Death Defying Acts" include the darkly humorous "An Interview" from Mamet in which a word-twisting attorney gets tongue-tied during his most important interview.

May's contribution is "Hotline," which focuses on a truth-challenged prostitute in Manhattan and the suicide hotline worker who takes her call.

The final segment is Allen's "Central Park West," in which two Manhattan couples enjoy a verbal brawl over one husband's alleged infidelity.

IU Northwest student and Crown Point resident David Spaliaras appears in all three segments ("they're all really funny") but particularly enjoys the words of Mamet.

"The dialogue Mamet uses is spectacular," he said. "Getting to say those words yourself is awesome."

Schererville's Rachael Prendergast portrays Carol in "Central Park West." The IU Northwest sophomore said performing in a play written by Woody Allen is a privilege and that her character is "kind of crazy."

"This is the play I'm most excited about," she said. "Everyone coming to the show will have a good time and we're all excited to put it on for them."

"Death Defying Acts" also features Lisa Farver, Laurie Farver, Christine Hernandez, Luke May, Steven Pedrosa, Taye Robinson and Charlie Scanlon.

Taylor's assistant director and stage manager is graduate student Mary Colville.

"Death Defying Acts" presented by Theatre Northwest at 7:30 p.m. June 26 and 27; 2:30 p.m. June 28

WHERE: Raintree Hall auditorium, Indiana University Northwest, 3400 Broadway, Gary

COST: $10

FYI: Box office at (219) 980-6808.