David Mitsch, who will graduate from Ball State in May, has been busy auditioning dozens of schools at which to pursue his Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting. His hard work has paid off and he was accepted into the acting program at Harvard. Yes, THE Harvard. "It's a two-year intensive program in conjunction with the American Repertory Theatre," he explains, "and a three-month residency in Moscow at the Moscow Arts Institute. Needless to say I am ecstatic!"

With such honors comes great responsibility. "I'm really nervous about keeping my head above water in such an esteemed institution. But I'll worry about that later! And unless Yale comes knocking on my door, I think I will accept Harvard's offer."

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The Reclamation Project continues its rehabilitation of the Rialto Theatre in downtown Fort Wayne. Their website, http://thereclamationproject.org/, includes photos of the exterior in 1929 and the interior as it looked in 1938. The project will receive a Community Development Block Grant, which will be given in increments totaling $160,000 over the next three years. Some of the funding is subject to matching gifts, but ultimately this grant will pay off their mortgage note on the theater. "We are extremely grateful to Mayor Graham Richard and his staff for their belief in this project," says Executive Director Kristie Jacobson. "What a vote of confidence!"

The Reclamation Project is a 501 (c)(3) organization and all gifts are tax deductible. Donations can be sent to The Reclamation Project, 6332 Southampton Court, Fort Wayne, IN 46814. They also seek volunteers to assist with the reconstruction.

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Samuel French has pulled the rights to the musical CHICAGO, so the Arena Dinner Theatre has had to pull the production from their upcoming season. Instead, the theater will produce the hit musical GREASE. Director Wayne Schaltenbrand will still direct and performances will still be June 4-26, 2004.

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