Control of the AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) epidemic requires public education for risk behavior change. Social Learning Theory and behavior modification have been used for the reduction of risk behaviors for heart disease with moderate success. It remains to be seen if this behavior modification technology can be successful in changing individuals' sexual practices which put them at risk for AIDS. An innovative play format was used as a method for delivering AIDS education. Subjects (n=351) attending play performances were from a low to moderate risk group, consisting of approximately one-half college students and one-half members of the community of San Diego, California. A questionnaire measuring knowledge about AIDS and attitudinal variables about AIDS and homosexuality was administered as a pretest and posttest. Although the overall change in AIDS knowledge was modest, the change was much greater for the subset of the audience who were poorly informed about AIDS before watching the play. These results suggest that dramatic plays can invoke important changes in a wide range of people interested in these issues. Follow-up studies are necessary to determine effects on behavior. (ABL)