BIDDEFORD — The up and coming downtown of Biddeford is home to a new theater company. The Maine Repertory Theater is an intimate space in the Pepperell Mill that holds a multitude of different performances, ranging from improvisational skits to live radio shows.

The theater, in the heart of downtown Biddeford, had its opening weekend this Friday and Saturday starting at 9 p.m. The shows, seasonally titled “It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Improv” are all improvised comedy skits performed by the actors within the theater. The company will be performing these improvised skits for the rest of December with shows on Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 9 p.m.

The excitement of opening night in a new theater is a dream that has been years in the making for co-founders Steve Burnette and David Hanright.

“I did my first show with Steve in 2008 at the City Theater,” said co-founder and artistic director David Hanright. “From there, we grew a friendship and shared the possibility of starting a theater company together.”

This ambitious idea was not easy to get going, but when it was the right time, it all came together.

“I first started looking at buildings for this company in 2009. After that, I moved back and forth from Florida to Maine, so my search paused,” said co-founder and creative entertainment officer Steve Burnette. “When I returned to Maine, I began my search again. I must have looked at over 50 buildings before I saw this one. Right when I stepped in, I thought, ‘this is my space.’”

From there, the hard work to make the dream a reality began.

“When Steve found the building around May, we knew it was right. Then we had to think ‘How can we transform this?’” said Hanright. “We chose arena seating so there’s not a bad seat in the house.”

While the theater is opening with comedic improvisational skits, the founders plan on doing much more than just that.

“Eventually, I’d love to have a traveling side of the theater where we could tour and perform (on the road),” said Burnette. “Also, we plan on doing live radio shows and other fun themed nights such as ‘so you think you can Elvis’ and a ‘really bad poetry slam.’”

For now, the company is focused on opening weekend and the excitement of improvised comedy.

“There’s no fourth wall in improv,” said Hanright. “It gives an endorphin high with the audience and provides genuine joy, how can you not have fun?”

Currently, the theater has eight professional Maine-based actors who will be performing for opening weekend. There’s a unique anticipation before a grand opening, especially for those involved.

“It’s really cool to be a part of the beginning of a theater,” said actress Meredith Brustlin. “Acting is all about making people happy and I love to make people laugh. I’ve never actually done improv before, but it’s all about not thinking (of what to say next).”

Not only does the theater give a place to laugh, it is also a place for artists to come and work.

“This space is a home for originality,” said Burnette. “I want people in the performing arts to be able to come (here) and be welcomed.”

The theater gives artists a professional space while giving back to the community.

“In addition to the admission price, we ask people to bring in a non-perishable food item. We then donate the food to the Biddeford and Saco food pantries,” said Burnette. “Also, four percent of our ticket sales are always donated to a charity. For the 2018 and 2019 seasons, two percent of sales goes to Habitat for Humanity and the other two percent goes to Volunteers of America.”

The Maine Repertory Theater is the home of artistic originality, a wide range of acting styles, and overall fun.

“It’s just fun. (We want to) give people something light and fun to keep them coming back,” Hanright said.