The line between genius and madness sometimes becomes blurred.

That fact is illuminated in David Auburn’s “Proof,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning play that also explores family, love and relationships.

Minerva West Theater Company brings its own production of “Proof” to the stage at the Ouray County 4-H Event Center the next two weekends.

“Proof,” which also won the Tony Award for best play and a Drama Desk Award after its debut in 2000, follows the story of a young woman who fears she has inherited both her father’s mathematical genius and his debilitating mental illness.

Minerva’s production is co-directed by Edward Cating and Linda Browning and stars Cating, Riley Burr, Sam Grothaus and Emma Kalff.

Cating said he’s had his eye on the play for the better part of 20 years. He likes the fact that the small cast allows actors to dive into the characters.

For Cating, the play centers on a number of conflicts. There’s the conflict faced by Catherine, the daughter who’s terrified her life will be cut short the same way her father’s was. There’s also conflict between Catherine and her older sister, and between Catherine and a grad student who studied under her father, has worked hard to achieve his place in the world and initially has trouble believing Catherine has inherited her father’s brilliance.

“The notion of talent versus training, that really drew me to it,” Cating said of the play.

“Proof” caps a busy month for Minerva, which has put on three productions at the 4-H Center this month.

Minerva Artistic Director Kathy O’Mara said while the theater company plans productions a year in advance, she thinks “Proof” comes at an opportune moment for the Ouray County community, which in the last several weeks has held a community discussion and fair centered on mental health.

“We just wanted to produce a piece that can really identify with our community,” she said. “You come away with questions and conversation points.”

Minerva West advises that due to language and subject matter, parents may want to accompany teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17.