While Friends of the Theatre members may believe that all the world’s a stage, they also know the entrance to it needs to be attractive and useful.

The community-based support organization for University Theatre has kicked off a fund-raising drive to raise money to renovate the mezzanine and inner lobby areas of Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall.

“It’s a small fund-raising campaign,” said Ron Willis, Kansas University professor emeritus of theater and honorary chairman of the drive. “We are wanting to raise $5,000.”

Kathy Pryor, associate director of University Theatre, said donations are already coming in, but $2,000 to $3,000 is still needed. The organization hopes to raise the money by May 1.

The project calls for a multipurpose area with cabinets, a dry-erase board and a multiuse conference table and bar/serving areas in both the mezzanine and downstairs lobby space.

“No (new) walls will happen, but it’s a cultivation of space to make it more usable,” Willis said.

Pryor said the newly renovated area would be used for faculty and staff meetings and receptions and other activities before and after University Theatre performances.

For more information about the fund-raising campaign, contact Pryor, 864-2695 or kpryor@ku.edu, or Hank Booth, president-elect of Friends of the Theatre, 843-1320, Ext. 216, or hbooth@lazer.com.