THUMB AWARD DRAMATIC CHANGES

Thumbs Up to the Dallas Theater Center (DTC) for its plans to construct a temporary theater in the new Arts District. The new theater, estimated to cost between $500,000 and $600,000, was designed by DTC stage designer Eugene Lee and Dallas architect Art Rogers. The site for the new structure at the intersection of Flora and Leonard streets was leased from CBD Enterprises, an arm of the Central Business District Association. Jim Cloar, president of the CBDA, should be commended for his work in securing the deal, as should DTC chairman William Custard and president Marshall Dokes. The theater, which should be open to the public by January, will be the first arts facility to open in the district. Also, Thumbs Up to Kjehl Rasmussen and the backers of the new Plaza Theatre in Snider Plaza for beating the odds and bringing another quality performing space to Dallas. The beautifully designed facility will introduce audiences to acclaimed plays, many from Broadway and often featuring name actors, and will offer an alternative spotlight for opera, the symphony and the USA Film Festival.