MACT

In October 1987, the fledgling community theater started as a Carlton High School Band Booster fundraiser. It was a unique idea, “Let’s put on a play!” After six weeks of rehearsal for Neil Simon’s, The Odd Couple, the parking lot was filled, the show opened, and the laughs came. The community and the organizers had a wonderful experience, and the band was closer to buying those new uniforms. “Let’s do it again next year and the next!” After three years of being a school project, they decided to form a theater group with its own identity.

The County Seat Theater Company was born. They continued to perform, using the high school facility for 13 years. During those years, the season grew to include Children’s Theater, holiday and summer shows, in addition to the established fall production.

As the productions continued to grow, it was time to get out of the school and find a place to call home. They moved to a quaint little church in Atkinson Township. The first production in September 1999 was Steel Magnolias. The audiences came, and came, and came to “hold over” performances.

In January 2008, County Seat Theater purchased the former Kingdom Hall Building on the Hwy 33 frontage road and began major renovations. The location was perfect, the size was great, the condition was excellent. So much work! So much support! The birth of the Encore Performing Arts Center and Gallery, the home of the County Seat Theater Company was complete.

Well, almost complete. They continue to remodel, improve and expand the facility and continually strive to improve their productions. One of their recent improvements was switch from a “conventional” lighting system to a new, energy efficient LED lighting rig.

Storage is always an issue for theaters. So many “valuable” old sets, costumes and props that they hate to throw away because they’re sure they will need them again … someday. They are currently fundraising to expand their storage capabilities with an addition to their facility.County Seat

Along with having a long history of performing at MACT’s festivals, County Seat Theater was the host for MACT’s Fast*Fest 2014 and Fast*Fest 2024 at the Encore Performing Arts Center. They will also be acting as the host for MACT*Fest 2025, to be held at the Depot Theatre in Duluth, March 7-9, 2025.