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Home > Blogs > Arts and Entertainment > Archives > 2009 > July > 15 > Entry
Xenia dedicates renamed theater
Xenia Area Community Theater is dedicating its new Kettering Health Network Theater today, July 15.
The former Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealership at 45 E. Second St. has been converted into a performance space with $85,000, including a $40,000 check from Kettering Health Network.
“We are still the Xenia Area Community Theater, though,” said executive director Orion Monroe, who came to Xenia in 2005 from Indianapolis to establish a theater in the Greene County seat.
The facility will be unveiled during an invitation-only reception.
XACT’s first official event there will be its annual free summer youth theater camp Aug. 8-20. The first production there will be in September.
Monroe, 40, who was a touring child actor with the Toronto (Ont.) Theatre Guild while his father was stationed in Kettering at the former U.S. Air Force Defense Electronics Supply Center, said some renovation work remains to be completed.
“But I’m proud of what we have accomplished. Xenia hasn’t had a community theater since the tornado in 1974,” he said.
His goal is to make XACT a completely self-supporting operation. It already operates a thrift store, “which pays our utilities and provides us with props, costumes and furniture.”
Future plans call for adding a cinema, which would show first-run films and host festivals. Monroe said he is working with the Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission on that project.
More information about XACT and the new Kettering Health Network Theater are available at (937) 372-0516 or www.xeniaact.org
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Arts News, Theater
Comments
By aric
July 18, 2009 12:39 PM | Link to this
You might want to investigate a couple of facts… Does Pol (Orion) have documented proof that he was a child actor with the troupe that he claims? If so, how long was he with the company? Are the finances of XACT public information? What documented/proven qualifications does Pol (orion) have to be the director of XACT or any legitimate theater? Any degrees? Proven show experience? Appropriate goals for this so-called community theater?