The actors in BAC Star Student Productions' latest show may range in age from 12 to 18, but they are tackling material that premiered circa 441 BC.

An original adaptation of Sophocles' Greek tragedy “Antigone” runs Friday through Sunday at Beverly Arts Center in Chicago and features a cast of 21 including residents of Chicago's Mount Greenwood community, Evergreen Park, Frankfort and Oak Lawn.

“I told them all from the first day of auditions that this was a heavy show, and it would be the hardest that any of them has probably ever worked with,” said Tim Stompanato, director of “Antigone.”

“We've dedicated a lot of time to not just learning lines and characters but also understanding what we're saying and why we're saying it and finding an honesty in theater. They've risen to the occasion, and I could not be more proud of them as a cast.

“They have taken a show, which was incredibly difficult, and made it their own.”

“Antigone” is billed as “when loyalty to family conflicts with loyalty to state.”

“It revolves around the title character, Antigone, who is the daughter of the last king, Oedipus. A civil war between Antigone's two brothers leaves them both dead, so her uncle Creon takes over,” said Stompanato, theater coordinator for Beverly Arts Center since April 2014.

“Creon says that the one brother is to be named a hero while another is to be named a traitor, which causes Antigone to rebel against Creon. The Greeks were amazing in how they wrote. They wrote for things that related to humanity on a societal level.

“The things we really focus on in this play are when you have conflicting loyalty. It also plays upon pride, stubbornness and the tragic flaws we have as people. It's an incredibly powerful and relevant piece that I wanted to use to introduce the teens to classical theater.”

Stompanato, who started as an actor in Beverly Arts Center's professional series in May 2013 and became a teacher at the nonprofit organization, said learning theater at a young age can have a lifelong impact.

“Theater teaches so many life skills. Even if you don't go into a theater career, they translate,” he said. “It teaches confidence, not being afraid to make a decision and be wrong. It especially stresses bold decisions, creating, thinking on your feet and simply the confidence of being able to work as a team and be able to not just create something but bare your soul and share that with a huge audience.

“For a lot of people who don't have that theater experience, getting up in a meeting and saying a quick line or two is terrifying. I see these kids that are able to get up and sing and dance or in ‘Antigone' pour out these heartbreaking monologues.

“They can share what they've created unapologetically and honestly. That's incredible.”

Stompanato encouraged involvement in the BAC Star Student Productions educational theater program.

“It gives students an opportunity to work with professional directors and technicians and be able to act on a professional stage. Our goal is to give a professional experience while cultivating a passion for the arts,” he said.

“We're able to work with this community and the surrounding communities to create something really powerful when it comes to the arts and confidence. When you're able to see these students get it, there's no greater feeling.”

Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.