BRIEFLY in the news

South Coast Repertory’s Next Stage broke ground Wednesday next to the

theater’s Town Center Drive location, kicking off construction for the

company’s new 336-seat proscenium theater and a number of renovations.

The new theater, to be named the Judie Argyros Stage, is set to open

October 2002. The Judie Argyros Stage will also house classrooms, office

space for SCR’s education department and other facilities.

This is “the culmination of one incredible journey and the beginning

of another,” said Paul Folino, president of SCR’s board.

Other parts of the $40-million Next Stage project include replacing

the current Second Stage with the 99-seat Nicholas Studio and renovating

the Mainstage into the Segerstrom Stage. The front of the complex will

undergo remodeling to house a grand lobby.

About $32.8 million has been raised for the campaign, officials said.

Artistic directors David Emmes and Martin Benson also announced a

$500,000 grant from the Whittier Family Foundations to help launch SCR’s

Youth Theatre Program, which will begin in October 2003. The program will

commission three plays yearly for young people and their families. The

first will be written by award-winning playwright Donald Marguiles,

author of “Collected Stories.”