The simplest things can sometimes be the most revelatory. That's what I kept thinking while watching "Circle Mirror Transformation," the current production by fairly new local troupe Out of Pocket Productions. The show is about as stripped down as possible - five very good local actors portraying would-be thespians in an acting class, with minimal props, and minimal plot, presented in a black-box theater. And yet it made for one of the smartest, honest, most engaging productions I've seen in a while.

"Circle Mirror Transformation," written by Annie Baker, won the 2010 Obie Award for Best New American Play, and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award the same year. It's ingenious in its simplicity, following an acting class at a community center in small-town Vermont for several weeks as the four students and the instructor get to know each other, and more importantly, themselves. There really isn't a plot; it's just the group going through various acting exercises, which at first can feel somewhat awkward and pointless. Subplots quickly emerge for each of the characters in both subtle and obvious ways, as the characters - forced to open up while reenacting scenes from their childhoods, or "embodying" the life of one of their fellow class mates - slowly come to realize truths about themselves that they have been previously unaware of, or deliberately avoiding.

In the wrong hands this could be trite, obvious, or cloying, but Baker's script is a fantastic example of restraint. One of the key revelations of the play is actually never directly ascribed to a specific character, and the characters' biographical information is smartly parceled out via understated dialogue, or through the characters "acting" as one of their class mates.

A play that depends so much on subtlety requires a strong cast to pull off all the complicated, unspoken personal interactions, and director Kathryn Moroney has found five local actors capable of pulling it off. Most of them are veterans of the Rochester community-theater scene, except for Allie York, a promising newcomer from Gananda High School. York plays Lauren, a withdrawn teenager, and she is particularly good in the scene in which she has to embody Schultz, a middle-aged man in the group. The rapport she builds in that scene resonates again at the ending of the play.

As Schultz, M.S. Ames is able to silently telegraph exactly who and what his character is even while silently standing. Schultz is a sweet, wounded, adorably dorky divorcee, and Ames conveys that through every line, every movement. Marcy J. Savastano plays Theresa, an energetic, artsy recent transplant from New York City who serves as something of a catalyst for both of the men in the show. Theresa is possibly the most complicated character in the show - she knows she shouldn't do certain things, but she can't resist doing them anyway - and the ever-magnetic Savastano somehow keeps her likable without excusing her faults.

Jim Valone portrays James, husband to Marty, the class's instructor. Valone plays James as slightly off his game, trying desperately to keep up with everyone in the class and to please his wife. But watch for the moments when James is overcome with anger; that's when Valone really comes alive. Lastly, Vicki Casarett plays Marty, who perhaps has the greatest emotional arc in the show. Casarett beams with pride as her students have breakthroughs in the various acting exercises, but has to deal with some brutal personal revelations. Casarett is equally convincing at both extremes.

Out of Pocket has been around for about three years, and in that time has shown an interest in performing these kinds of small, thoughtful works. We can always use more of that in our local theater landscape. In addition to its theatrical endeavors, the group aims to raise funds and awareness for area nonprofit organizations through each show; proceeds from "Circle Mirror Transformation" will go to Gilda's Club Rochester and the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

The Space is also a fairly new addition to the Rochester performance scene. A black box with church pews as seats, it serves improv comedy troupes and smaller theater productions, filling a similar niche as the Multi-use Community Cultural Center in the Neighborhood of the Arts. It's a fine venue, although at least twice during the show a loud noise from either a nearby elevator or some kind of a rolling cart (the Hungerford is filled with artist studios and other tenants) interrupted the proceedings and took me out of the performance. To the credit of the actors, and their director, nobody on stage missed a beat.

"Circle Mirror Transformation"

By Out of Pocket Productions

Through October 9

The Space Theater, Hungerford Building, 1115 E. Main St. (Door 2)

Thu-Fri 7:30 p.m., Sun 2 p.m. | $10-$15 | 241-3306, thespacerochester.com