You can ask Ask Jeeves for anything -- even grants. The internet company (www.askjeeves.com) has formed a foundation to benefit educational, scientific and cultural endevours, including Berkeley Repertory Theatre in California. The Bay Area group will receive $3 million; $2 million to expand their existing theatre into a two-theatre complex and $1 million for an artistic endowment.

The Rep, also recent recipients of a $750,000 challenge grant from The Kresge Foundation, is now within $4 million of its $20 million expansion goal. This money will contribute to the Rep's new three-story structure, set to include a 171-seat balcony (bringing the total capacity to 600), an 80-foot fly tower, a trap door, dressing rooms, a donor room, expanded restrooms and an outdoor courtyard.

Construction began in August, 1999 with a completion date set for March, 2001. The inaugural production will be Aeschylus' The Oresteia.

Berkeley Rep's 2000-01 season features Carlo Gozzi's The Green Bird adapted by Theatre de la Jeune Lune (Sept. 8 - Oct. 27), Donald Margulies' Dinner With Friends (Nov. 10 - Jan. 5, 2001), Bridget Carpenter's Fall (Jan. 19 - March 11) and Charles L. Mee's Big Love (April 20 - June 10).

-- By Christine Ehren