MACT

Greetings from the Minnesota Association of Community Theatres! MACT celebrated 50 years of promoting excellence in theatre in 2023.

Mission – The Minnesota Association of Community Theatres (MACT) is a statewide, nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization whose mission is to:

• Promote standards of excellence in theatrical endeavors in communities throughout the state;
• Encourage, channel and facilitate the exchange of ideas among theatres to better foster their growth and improvement; and
• Encourage theatre arts through such educational devices as workshops, festivals, contests, conferences and other means which the Board of Directors feels would be effective.

Accessibility

MACT is committed to ensuring accessibility for all individuals to its programs and services.

Board Membership

MACT’s Board consists of the following members:

• At-Large Directors: Elected to a 3-year term during the annual board election.
• Theatre Representatives: Appointed by member community theatres for flexible term lengths, typically one year, have a voice in our theatre community, flexibility on meeting attendance, ability to choose your involvement
• Emeritus Directors: Reserved for past Presidents or individuals who served six or more years or earned Emeritus status through nomination. Term lengths and responsibilities are unspecified.
• Associate Directors: Serve in a less involved capacity for a 2-year term.

Board Officers

The Board Officers include:

• President,
• Two Senior Vice Presidents,
• Secretary,
• Treasurer,
• Assistant Secretaries (for signing grant documents)

Board Responsibilities

Board members are volunteers (no reimbursement is offered for attending meetings and events) and are expected to:

• Maintain individual dues-paying membership ($25/year; $15 for seniors, students, or low-income individuals) or represent a dues-paying theatre organization.
• Participate in bi-monthly meetings.
• Take active volunteer roles in festival committees, website management, newsletter creation, conferences, and other organizational efforts.
• Ensure fiscal responsibility for MACT.

Board Meetings

The Board convenes bimonthly, either virtually or at various locations across the state, generally on Saturday Mornings. In-Person meetings are often in the afternoon followed by optional dinner and theatre attendance. Key events include:

• Annual in-person Meeting: Held each June.
• MACT*Fest: A biennial adjudicated festival featuring 60-minute plays (held in February or March of odd-numbered years).
• Fast*Fest: An off-year 20-minute play festival (held in August of even-numbered years).

Additional activities include:

• maintaining communication channels (newsletter, website, email),
• representing amateur community theatres in statewide arts initiatives,
• engaging with regional and national theatre networks through:
  • American Association of Community Theatre,
  • AACT Region V Association
  • other groups or associations as may be appropriate
• pursuing other mission-aligned activities.

Finance

MACT’s funding sources include:

• memberships (Individual, theatre and other)
• Tax-deductible donations
• Grants from organizations such as the State Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils

Join the Movement

MACT invites passionate individuals to join its team and contribute to the vibrant community theatre landscape of Minnesota. Whether you’re a seasoned theatre professional or an enthusiastic newcomer, your ideas and energy can help shape the future of theatre arts in the state. Joining MACT means becoming part of a dedicated, creative, and forward-thinking network that celebrates and advances the transformative power of theatre. Together, we strive to inspire, connect, and elevate Minnesota’s theatrical community.

Questions? Contact MACT Board President Darren Beecher, or AdmAsstMACT@gmail.com, or any board member.