CORRECTION The theatre consultant for the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre was incorrectly identified in the last issue. It should have read: Systems Design Associates. We apologize for the error. The new auditorium is compactly planned and tightly focused. It holds 890 on 60010 of the site area previously occupied by the old theatre. The orchestra has continental seating at the front and conventional spacing with four aisles at the rear. The ends of the well- raked balcony are connected to the stage with triple-stepped boxes set out in a geometry reminiscent of the work of theatre architect Thomas Lamb. ow actors in the Bluma Appel are supported by an audience distributed both below and above their eye line and located not only to the front but also in the popular side boxes. All have found the Bluma Appel much more responsive to comedy than was the old austere arena where actor / audience contact was difficult because the auditorium receded away from the acting area. While the main stage and fly tower are unchanged, the forestage zone has been entirely remodeled so as to be as flexible as possible. Options offered consist of: first, a much narrower but adjustable picture frame complete with Italian festoon curtains; second, a jutting forestage appropriate to much modern writing; or third, an orchestra pit itself adjustable in size for both small musical orchestras and the larger orchestras appropriate to chamber opera. All the stage lighting positions in the auditorium have been revised. In addition to triple side slots over the boxes there are a generous number of positions on the glittering central chandelier. The latter is at once both decorative and functional and hangs well below the acoustically determined main ceiling. The foyer areas have been completely redesigned and extended with new bars, new lavatories, and also a new system of public circulation which greatly eases the flow of people at intermission and also brings the building up to code. r- I L.__ BEFORE AFTER Vie\\' frolll Ba/colIY continued on page 24 ... GSITT SUIllIller 1986 Thealn' De,ign & Technolog~ 21