MIDDLETOWN — Like bringing a play to the stage, starting a new theater company requires a blend of hard work, revision and improvisation.

        Actor's Repertory Theatre is in its shakedown phase. The troupe was born early this year when the owner of Middletown's historic 1883 Masonic Temple made the building available for use as a theater.

        Michael Coyan, director of arts in Middletown, became the group's artistic director and Deborah Walker its general manager.

IF YOU GO

What: Private Lives by Noel Coward, presented by Actor's Repertory Theatre.    When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Where: 2 N. Main St., second floor, Middletown.    Tickets: $18 for general admission; $15 for students/senior citizens.    Information: 727-9361 or actorsrep@hotmail.com

        On evenings and weekends, eager theater students and volunteers cleaned and restored the two-story space, creating two small performance areas.

        Theater classes began in September, and Actor's Repertory Theatre officially opened Oct. 19 with a production of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods.

        The second offering, Noel Coward's Private Lives, begins this week.

        “We are a work in progress,” said public relations/marketing staffer Aaron Swisher, who will also help direct productions this year.

        “Our construction is slowly coming to an end.”
       

Staffing jells
               The company is taking shape, too, he said. After several months of working on the physical facility, summer volunteers began gravitating toward their long-term roles within the ensemble.

        There is a core group of seven professional actors. Auditions will be held as needed for other cast members.

        Mr. Coyan is very encouraged at the theater's achievements thus far.

        “We attracted people from places like Oxford, Maineville, Kettering, Wilmington, Xenia and Northern Kentucky,” he said. “Many have become season subscribers. They like the convenience and the restaurants available in the Middletown area.”
       

Lots to learn
               As Private Lives opens, the theater's learning curve is still fairly steep.

        “We as a company are still working the bugs out of the building,” Mr. Coyan said. “We're learning how to use the space effectively, and how to make sure audience comfort comes first.”
       

'Spirit' slogan touts area
Drugs found where suspect died
Arrest of unwilling suspect can be lethal
FreeStore braces for big holiday demand
PULFER: From loss, hope
Travel for Turkey Day has begun
Tombstones tell stories of life
BRONSON: TV gridlock
WORLD TRADE: Closed-door process needs change
WORLD TRADE: Policies help raise standards
Abused girl's death ruled a homicide
Complaints would go to bureau
CROWLEY: Unending story
CSX repair delays irk city official
Drug squad raising money
Gas cut-off got pro response
Internet threat imprisons man
Ky. troopers diversify, slowly
Local voters want fairness in election
New NATO role sought in Bosnia
Park protests possible pollution
Psychics see Bush as president
Rock climbers to help with dig
Theater group starts to take off
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report