Although SF State's theater department is no stranger to budget cuts, the cast and crew of "A Streetcar Named Desire" are not letting a little financial cutback hold them back from putting on a full-scale production of Tennessee William's Pulitzer Prize-winning play.

SF State theater is opening "A Streetcar Named Desire" next Thursday in the Creative Arts building's Little Theatre. Bay Area award-winning director and theater arts professor Rhonnie Washington is directing the production.

Set designer and theater arts faculty member John Wilson had to use some creative ingenuity to make this play possible on a tighter budget.

"Anticipating that the lack of funds would be an issue, John [Wilson] familiarized himself with items the department already had in stock so we didn't have to build a set from scratch," Washington said. "We saved hundred of dollars."

The 12-person cast has been rehearsing 20 hours a week since the beginning of January for the upcoming production. Set in the 1940s in New Orleans, "A Streetcar Named Desire" tells the story of former Southern belle Blanche DuBois, whose mental stability dwindles over the course of the play. Blanche's famous line, "I don't want realism, I want magic," captures her growing disconnect with reality.

"This show is violent," actress Elizabeth Ochoa said. "There are many physical fits and disturbing things that happen, but somehow each character has to find the hope that life will get better."

Ochoa, who plays the "Mexican woman," feels that a lot of thought went into the development of each character in SF State's version of "A Streetcar Named Desire."

"Rhonnie Washington has allowed us and encouraged all of us to question the nature of this show and the nature of each character," Ochoa said. "It definitely helps an actor to question and dig to the heart of the piece."

"A Streetcar Named Desire" is currently in the middle of "tech week," a time set aside to work out any kinks in lighting and sound. The crew will start dress rehearsals on Monday, when they will put all the details of the show together on stage for the first time.

"We're definitely in the home stretch now," Washington said.

Actress Samantha Hopper has enjoyed the whole process of putting the play together.

"It has been a positive and collaborative experience because of our director's clear vision, coupled with the space he provides us to develop and create," Hopper said.

With opening night quickly approaching, both the director and the cast are excited for the final product of everyone's hard work to hit the stage.

"I had to get the actors from where they were to where I wanted them to be," Washington said. "It's been a wonderful experience and I'm excited to see exactly how it turns out."

"This being my first show at SFSU, I'm very excited for the opening of the show," Ochoa said. "The reality that the show will open soon is really hitting home with me because the scenery is getting loaded onto the stage and we've been fitted for our costumes. All the pieces of 'Streetcar' are coming together."

The play will run from March 5 through 15 at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays.

Tickets for "A Streetcar Named Desire" are $15 and can be purchased one hour prior to each performance at the box office in the Creative Arts building.