It’s a busy time at Actors Community Theater of Seymour, as the organization is coming off of a successful run of its last production, is planning its next show and now has its eye on a new location.

Steven Deweese, a board member with the theater, said the group is beginning the process of looking for a location in downtown Seymour for a new theater.

The current theater, 357 Tanger Blvd., Suite 208, at Shops at Seymour has limited seating and is not centralized in the city.

“Some people don’t feel like making the journey,” Deweese said. “I think something with a more hometown feel would be beneficial to the community.”

Having a theater downtown would build more community and contribute to the historic feel of theaters.

“A historic downtown building would be great for a theater,” he said. “We’d like to see the arts be a part of downtown.”

Deweese said many confuse the theater of being a branch of Jackson County Community Theatre in Brownstown, but the two organizations are separate. ACTS was formed several years ago and operates independently.

“We work in corporation,and many of us act in their plays, and many of them act in ours, but they are two distinctively different organizations,” he said, adding he is assistant director for JCCT’s children’s play.

The latest show the theater has planned is “The Foreigner,” a comedy set in rural Georgia.

“It’s about maybe learning more than you should about certain situations and how sometimes the people perceived to be the least among us can end up being the heroes,” he said. “A lot of what can go wrong does, and the characters are stuck in a variety of different predicaments.”

Deweese is directing the show, a first for him, and will select six men and two women for roles in the play scheduled for Aug. 16, 17, 23 and 24.

The auditions are set for 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and then 2 p.m. Sunday at Harmony Park in Seymour. Ages can range from early to mid-20s and up.

“They’re open auditions, so if you’ve ever even thought about acting, you should stop by,” he said.

Those participating in the auditions will be asked to simply read excerpts from the script, and Deweese will be looking for stage presence and more.

“I want to see who I think can sink their teeth into the part and become that character,” he said.

He said taking part in a play builds relationships and is a great way to express yourself.

“I like being able to create something out of nothing,” Deweese said.

Seeking out contemporary scripts or shows that theaters have not done in the area is something he enjoys.

“I really love the feeling of starting with a script and then two months later, you’re in full costume in a full set with lines memorized and ready for opening night,” he said.

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Want to be in Actors Community Theater of Seymour’s production of "The Foreigner?"

Auditions are set for 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday at Harmony Park on West Second Street near The Brooklyn Pizza Co.

The show is scheduled for Aug. 16, 17, 23 and 24.

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