MACT*Fest ’25 – Workshop Session 1

MACT*Fest 2025 logo

MACT*Fest ’25 workshop session 1 will start at 8:30 am on Friday morning. It will give attendees a choice of 3 topics: Improv, Swashbuckling & TBA.

Improv for Actors
presented by Tom Nelson

In this workshop we will explore how Improv can help actors to be “in the moment” and add energy and excitement to their performances. Using improv games and the “yes and” technique participants in this workshop will learn to be better scene partners in their theatre productions.

Tom Nelson has been involved in Community Theatre since 2006, he has acted, done tech, and directed various productions for his home theatre The FungusAmongus Players. In 2016 Tom founded No Lines Improv a Hutchinson based improv group with two friends from theatre. No Lines Improv performs six shows a year and also has performed private and corporate events. Tom lives in Cokato with his wife Elisabeth and two sons Alex and Archie.

Swashbuckling 101—Part 1
presented by Dave Metcalf

This workshop will span both workshop sessions on Friday morning.

This fun and informative workshop is intended for a group/director planning to perform any show requiring staged combat – with an emphasis on swordplay. It will focus upon: 1) safety; 2) basics of choreographed fencing movement, attack and defense; 3) incorporation of falls, hand-to-hand techniques and “dirty tricks”; 4) a notation system for recording fight choreography move by move, as reminders for on-going rehearsals. Attendees should wear loose, comfortable clothing. While chair bound auditing is welcome, agile participants are encouraged to physically interact during instruction.

David Metcalf studied under B.H. Barry, the only professional fight choreographer to have won a TONY award. A graduate of Augsburg College, he taught Theatre Arts and directed High School shows for his entire teaching career. He directed 12 One Act plays that advanced to MSHSL State Competition, where nine earned top honors. Dave has choreographed fight scenes for high school and community theatre productions.

The third workshop option has not been finalized yet
Unknown presenter

Details on this workshop will be available when the topic and presenter are finalized.

About MACT*Fest

MACT*Fest will be March 7-9 at the Depot Theatre in Duluth. It will feature 4 performance sessions, with 2 shows Friday afternoon, Friday night and Saturday night and 3 shows Saturday afternoon. Following each show’s performance there will be comments by each of the three adjudicators. There will also be 4 workshop sessions, 2 Friday morning and 2 Saturday morning, with a choice of 3 options in each session. Saturday, after the final adjudication, there will be an “afterglow” social at Incline Station, located across the street from the Radison Hotel. Sunday morning there will be an awards brunch at the Holiday Inn.

Full packages are available at a discounted price until February 28. After that they will cost a little more. Most of the events are also available al a carte. Visit the MACT*Fest 25 page on our website for more information. Full packages and al a carte items can be purchased on-line here.