MACT Logo. Upper portion is comedy/drama masks with comedy mask in yellow and drama mask in blue. Lower portion has the acronym "MACT" and below it the description MN Association of Community Theatres.MACT

MACT

Minnesota Association of Community Theatres

Home of Minnesota’s Theatre Community

Why Join MACT?

MACT Logo. Upper portion is comedy/drama masks with comedy mask in yellow and drama mask in blue. Lower portion has the acronym "MACT" and below it the description MN Association of Community Theatres.

Joining the Minnesota Association of Community Theatres (MACT) can bring a lot of tangible benefits to your theater, whether you’re a small, volunteer-driven company or a more established organization. Here’s why it could be a great move for your theater:

1. Networking & Collaboration Opportunities

  • Connect with Other Theaters: MACT brings together theaters from across the state, creating a space for collaboration, idea-sharing, and mutual support. You can learn from others, find inspiration, and form partnerships that might lead to joint productions, cross-promotion, or resource sharing.
  • Access to a Supportive Community: The theater world can sometimes feel isolating, especially if you’re running a smaller, non-professional group. MACT gives you a sense of community and a place to exchange ideas and solutions with peers who understand the unique challenges of community theater.

2. Educational Resources & Skill Development

  • Workshops & Training: MACT offers training sessions and workshops in everything from acting and directing to technical skills and theater management. These resources can help raise the bar for your productions and the quality of your shows.
  • Professional Development: Your directors, actors, volunteers, and staff can grow their skills through the programs MACT provides, helping everyone involved in your theater get better at their craft.

3. Increased Visibility & Marketing

  • Promote Your Shows: By joining MACT, your theater gets exposure to a broader audience, both in the theater community and beyond. As a MACT member we will list your auditions and shows on MACT’s website at no additional cost to you. We visit our member theatres’ websites weekly to make sure your listings are up-to-date, so there is no additional effort on your part. Not only are your shows listed on our website, but they will also be included in our weekly e-newsletter for the two weeks preceding your event.
  • Promote Your Theatre: Your theatre could also be featured in our weekly e-newsletters.
  • Your theatre will gain access to additional marketing opportunities.
  • Awards & Recognition: MACT’s awards recognize excellence in theater. Winning or being nominated for awards can increase your theater’s visibility and attract more attendees to your productions.

4. Advocacy for Community Theater

  • Statewide Advocacy: MACT works to ensure that the value of live theater is recognized at the state level. When you join, you’re lending your voice to advocacy efforts that help secure funding, raise awareness, and preserve the cultural importance of local theater.
  • Policy Influence: MACT represents the collective interests of theaters in the state, giving your theater a stronger voice in policy decisions related to the arts.

5. Access to Grants & Funding Opportunities

  • Funding Resources: As a member, you may gain access to grant opportunities and fundraising resources that could help support your productions, special projects, or operational costs.
  • Shared Resources: MACT can point you toward funding sources specifically aimed at theaters and help you navigate the often complicated process of applying for grants.

6. Discounted Rates for Events

  • Conference and Event Discounts: MACT offers discounted rates for members to attend its annual conferences, workshops, and networking events. These are valuable for professional development and for staying current with trends in theater production.

7. Learning from the Best

  • Best Practices: You’ll have access to a network of successful theaters, from which you can learn valuable strategies on how to run your organization efficiently, engage with audiences, fundraise, and produce high-quality shows.

8. Building Your Reputation

  • Community Impact: Being part of MACT not only elevates your theater within the local arts community, but it also enhances your reputation in the eyes of local audiences. It shows you’re committed to excellence, professional development, and contributing to the cultural landscape of Minnesota.

In short, joining MACT can help your theater grow by providing resources, connections, and opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach. It’s an investment in the future of your organization and its ability to make an impact in the local arts scene.

To learn more or to join MACT, click here.