Trueblood
renovations 'big
improvement'

(Continued from Page 3)
productions, he said, explaining that
the new theater will be more suitable to
both the audience and the actors.
The plans for the new theater,
designed by the University Architec-
tural Office and approved by the
theater department, call for the stage
in the center and seats surrounding it
on all sides.
WHEN FINISHED, the yet-unnamed
theater will seat 220 people -120 more
than the existing Arena Theater on the
ground floor of the Frieze Building, but
nearly 800 fewer than the Trueblood
currently seats. The "old" Arena will
be converted into classrooms and
rehearsal areas, Wolf said.
Because the operating budget of
$135,000 is not enough to cover all they
want to do, Wolf said the money has
been put into what are seen as the most
important changes, which is a "big im-
provement," he said.
One of the major expenses has been
leveling out the floor to accommodate
the arena format. Bleachers will con-
tinue to be used for seating.
OTHER CHANGES include the in-
stallation of a lift for the handicapped
and the closing of the balcony, which
will be used for lighting.
The new theater will be used for
rehearsals, department productions,
and "studios." It is intended for studen-
ts and experimental work, Wolf said.
"I think we're doing the right thing by
putting the money into the physical
structure," he said.
BUT A REVISED program accom-
panying the physical renovations will
also be beneficial to young actors, he
continued. Productions will run for two
weekends rather than one, giving the
actors a greater chance to get used to
audience exposure.
Even with renovations, the price of
theater tickets will not go up. No
University funds support productions,
but Wolf said he feels that with more

Wolf
... renovations finished by fall
seats than the old Arena had, and an
improved theater in general, the depar-
tment will be able to earn through box
office sales the money it spends on
productions.
Wolf said the construction company
doing the work was "hungry" enough
for the job to give a fairly low bid. This
left funds available to add "frosting on
the cake," Wolf said. The extra funds
will be used for adequate house
lighting.
The entire department is excited
about the improvements, according to
Wolf. Their first production in the new
theater will be "Bernard Alba" in the
beginning of December.

In Brief
Compiled from Associated Press and
United Press International reports
Milliken signs Detroit bill
into law
LANSING-Lt. Gov. James Brickley, in a risky political move, cast the
tie-breaking vote yesterday on a bill allowing Detroiters to vote on raising
their city income tax, then Gov. William Milliken immediately signed the
measure into law.
The bill was a compromise measure worked out by a joint legislative
committee. It allows Detroit residents to vote June 23 on raising the resident
income tax from 2 percent to 3 percent and the levy on commuters from .5
percent to 1.5 percent.
The bill also requires Detroit to balance its budget and obtain wage con-
cessions from city employee unions.
'Calm' in Beirut awaits Habib
A new truce-the 29th in two months-restored a measure of calm to
Beirut yesterday as hundreds of Palestinians marched through the streets in
a funeral procession for a slain PLO official.
In south Lebanon, Israeli commandos blew up a house in the second such
raid in two days. Israeli jetfighters also streaked across Beirut, breaking the
sound barrier in what has become a daily occurence.
Last night Syrian artillery pounded Christian militiamen in East Beirut in
a duel which killed at least seven persons and wounded 11.
Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Philip Habib was heading back to the Middle East
to resume his shuttle diplomacy mission.
Haig to discuss arm sales
on trip to China next week
The Reagan administration has decided to reduce the restraints on the
sale of defense-related technology to China and will consider selling U.S.
arms to the Asian country, a senior State Department official said yester-
day.
Secretary of State Alexander Haig Jr. is prepared to discuss arms sales
with Chinese leaders while in China next week, said the official.
' "We are going to China with an open mind on this issue," said the official.
At present, China is in a category with the Soviet Union under the most
severe defense restrictions.
Cat woman visits friends
DALLAS-A 34-year-old woman has admitted herself to a psychiatric
ward after leaping over a fence at the Dallas Zoo and trying to communicate
with wild cats.
The woman was "totally convinced she is a lion or tiger," said police of-
ficer D.A. Zook. "She was very lucky." She received scratches from either a
spotted leopard or the chain-link fence, officers said, but no treatment was
necessary.
A zoo caretaker said before climbing the fence, the woman took off her
shoes and pushed them through the fence to attract the cats. Her shoes were
found ina cage with three spotted leopards, although the heels were found in
a separate cage with black leopards.
"The police came and tried to talk to her," said a zoo caretaker. "The way
she put it, she wasn't afraid of them, and they wouldn't hurt her."
Ray's assailants black militants
PETROS, Tenn.-Authorities said yesterday James Earl Ray was stabbed
at Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary by publicity-seeking mlilitant black
convicts who swagger around the prison wearing armbands and preaching
revolution.
Ray, serving a 99-year sentence for the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr., was listed as in satisfactory condition at the nearby Oak Ridge
Hospital with 22 stab wounds.
Hospital officials said the chained and heavily-guarded Ray was resting
well from the Thursday morning attack and would make a complete
recovery.
Authorities were questioning four black suspects in the assault on Ray in
the prison library. Director Arzo Carson of the Tennessee Bureau of In-
vestigation said all four are members of Alkebu-lan, a prison group that
follows the same line as the old Malcolm X Black Muslim organization.
Officials at the mountainside penitentiary said there was "an air of ten-
sion" at the compound and that all prisoners were "locked down" in their
cells.

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