Carol Brubaker

Hult Center Marketing Manager Carol Brubaker has quietly launched a pilot program with half a dozen downtown restaurants, co-promoting special deals before and after performances.It's not much, but it's a start, and that's enough for many who feared that the Hult saw itself as an island unto itself. * * The Hult's resident companies have gotten together on their own to pursue a production facility in the northeast corner of downtown.The idea of sharing rehearsal and workshop space between the companies is mightily attractive, and if they can pull it off, it might free up a few extra nights for last-minute performances from traveling companies in the Hult. (Those nights, though dark to the public, are currently committed to the resident companies for rehearsals before a show.) * * Those who follow these things are heartened to know that our new Cultural Services Director Robb Hankins hails from hip-and-happening Austin, Texas.Except he doesn't.He was in Texas for eight months, tops.He applied for a similar directorship there and made it into the final round but didn't get the job.He did, however, land a job as executive director of Bat Conservation International, a group in Austin whose stated mission is "to protect and restore bats and their habitats worldwide."