The Young Artists Ensemble will present three staged readings of "A Christmas Story" Dec. 8 to 10 at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday.

The play by Philip Grecian is adapted from the 1983 film of the same name. Set in Hammond, Ind. at Christmas time 1940, the show tells the story of Ralphie Parker, who wants a Red Ryder air rifle for Christmas but is constantly told that he'll "shoot his eye out." This is the first staged reading

by the ensemble. The show will include actors ages 10 to 19 as well as alumni from the company.

Reserved seats are $15 and are available from the Hillcrest Center box office.

For more information, call (805) 381-1246 or visit www.YAEonline.com.