Lancaster Child Abuse Center Hopes Play About Incest Will Open Some Eyes : Officials bring Santa Monica production of ‘Shattered Secrets’ to Antelope Valley to make a point: the same one that changed the life of its producer.

Jerry Craig says the play “Shattered Secrets” changed his life. Officials of the Antelope Valley Child Abuse Center are hoping it will do the same for people in Lancaster.

The Hispanic Theatre Project production of Libbe S. HaLevy’s play about members of a self-help program for incest survivors will be presented at Antelope Valley College tomorrow and Sunday. Craig, the Theatre Project’s artistic director, said the play has served as a basis for his own recovery as an incest survivor.

“It’s in the last month that I’ve come out of the closet on this one,” he said. “The play has brought me out of isolation. It has given me back my past--made me not afraid to look at my past.”

Craig likens his situation to the farmer who uses manure as fertilizer and watches his garden grow. “By combining my art with a healing process, it has allowed me to reap the best harvest of my life,” Craig said.

The Hispanic Theatre Project was founded six years ago by Craig, Deborah Klugman and Rosemary Stevens. The theater company derives its name from Craig’s desire to be a role model for other Latino artists.

“I’m very proud of being Hispanic,” he said. “I wanted other Hispanics to know there would be an avenue for their work.”

Craig runs the company out of his Los Angeles home. It is funded primarily by ticket sales and Craig’s own money. Many theaters waive the rent so he is able to keep down expenses.

“Shattered Secrets” is its 10th production and has been running since August, 1988, at the Powerhouse Theatre in Santa Monica. In addition, the play has toured several other cities, including San Francisco, Davis, Hermosa Beach and Chino. The play was presented as part of the Sixth Annual Governor’s Training Conference on Crime Victims last April in San Francisco. It was the first time the conference used theater as part of its program.

As the play’s first and only director, Craig has worked closely with author HaLevy since 1987. The company has not received any grants or special funding for the production, and Craig said this is the first time the theater company has charged admission ($8 in Santa Monica, and $8 Saturday and $25 Sunday, which includes refreshments.)

Despite the company’s name, “Shattered Secrets” is not directed exclusively at the Latino community, Craig said. “The lead character is Hispanic but the play’s adaptive to all people and all cultures. I chose it because it’s a very important topic.”

Craig, who has more than 90 acting and directing credits (he appeared in the movie “Born in East L.A.” and has a recurring role on “General Hospital”), said the company is committed to multicultural, multi-ethnic productions. He said the dialogue in at least seven of their presentations, among them “Shattered Secrets,” has included what he calls “Spanglish,” a mixture of Spanish and English.

Dr. John Beck, a psychiatrist and a board member of the Antelope Valley Child Abuse Center, was a prime mover in bringing the production to Lancaster. He said the purpose of the performances is to increase public awareness of incest and to raise funds for the center.

Beck said the Sunday evening performance will be a special presentation for the local professional community of the Antelope Valley--representatives from the fields of medicine, law, education and the ministry have been invited. Both performances will be open to the public.

For more information about the Antelope Valley performances of “Shattered Secrets,” call the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce (805) 948-4518 or Glitz Enterprises (805) 945-3379.