MACT

Congratulations to the two Best of Fest” award winners from MACT*Fest 2025.

Absolute Theatre of Rochester was one of the two shows selected as “Best of Fest” by our panel of three adjudicators. They presented cuttings from “Forever Plaid“. This was Absolute Theatre’s first participation in MACT*Fest. They will be representing Minnesota at the Region V AACTFest to be held April 3-5 in Newton Iowa.

The other “Best of Fest” from MACT*Fest 2025 was cuttings from “26 Pebbles” presented by Northern Starz Center for the Performing Arts of Ramsey. This was their first time presenting a show at MACT*Fest. They will also represent Minnesota at Region V AACT*Fest in Iowa.

Here’s a list of the other awards presented at MACT*Fest 2025, which was held at the Depot Theatre in Duluth:

• The First Alternate show – Finishing School presented by FungusAmongus Players of Dassel-Cokato
• The Second Alternate show – Game of Life presented by County Seat Theater Company of Cloquet
• For Outstanding Achievement in:
  • Costume Design – Done to Death – Applause Community Theatre
  • Original Script – Jenn Soukkala & Phoebe Applegate for Game of Life – County Seat Theater
  • Lighting Design – Everette Parker – 26 Pebbles – Northern Starz
  • Sound Design – Scott Niederkorn – 26 Pebbles – Northern Starz
  • Set Design – Joel & Jenn Soukkala – Game of Life – County Seat Theater
  • Set Design – Done to Death – Applause Community Theatre
  • Ensemble Work – Forever Plaid – Absolute Theatre
  • Choreography – Suzie Hansen, Missy Hagen & Steff Stafford – Forever Plaid – Absolute Theatre
  • Performance – Jon Benson – Finishing School – FungusAmongus Players
  • Directing – Linda Metcalf – Finishing School – FungusAmongus Players

MACT*Fest 2025 was be held at
The Depot Theatre in Duluth

506 W Michigan St, Duluth, MN 55802

Performances were be March 7 & 8 and awards March 9.

We are excited to have 9 shows participating in this festival. We are even more thrilled that three of these theatres have not participated in a MACT*Fest before. And five of the nine shows are original scripts written for this festival.

The festival had four performance sessions, with two shows Friday afternoon, two Friday night, three Saturday afternoon and two Saturday night. In addition to the performances, which include adjudications, there will be workshops on Friday and Saturday morning, a social after the final performance Saturday night and an awards brunch on Sunday morning (at the Holiday Inn).

• Performance session 1 – Friday @ 1:30 pm
  • County Seat Theater
    • Game of Life
      • At their monthly game night, friends get together to have a fun night in while catching up on the highs and lows of their everyday lives.
      • Meanwhile, their children hang out downstairs and have similar conversations about relationships, family, love and loss and current events.
  • Mindless Mirth Productions
    • Little Claus & Big Claus
      • This is an adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale that has been  rewritten for the stage.
      • Little Claus works for a bully named Big Claus. In a series of adventures Little Claus becomes a Bugs Bunny like character who reveals some truths about greed, morality and human nature, with laughs. 
• Performance session 2 – Friday @ 7:00 pm
  • Absolute Theatre
    • Forever Plaid
      • Forever Plaid is set in present day.
      • “Once upon a time, there were 4 guys (Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie) who loved to sing. They all met in high school. Discovering they shared an affection for music and entertaining, they got together and dreamed of becoming like their idols – The Four Aces, The Four Freshman and The Crew Cuts. They rehearsed in the basement of Smudge’s family’s plumbing supply company. It was here they became Forever Plaid – a name that connects the continuation of a traditional values of family, home and harmony.” Stuart Ross
  • Lamplighter Community Theatre
    • The Lost Souls of Ireland
      • The Lost Souls of Ireland explores the lives of people affected by the Magdalene Laundries, the Mother and Baby Homes, the Industrial Schools and Orphanages in Ireland. Unwed mothers were sent to either one of the Magdalene Laundries or Mother and Baby Homes and were treated like prisoners, toiling six days a week for 16 hours a day without pay to be punished for “their sins.”  Being pregnant out of wedlock was considered a mortal sin, the same as committing murder. Mothers were not allowed to keep their babies. They were sent to orphanages, industrial schools to “Learn a Trade” or adopted out.  The death rate for the women and children was two to four times higher than the general population. The last institution dealing with this issue closed in 1996.
• Performance session 3 – Saturday @ 1:00 pm
  • Applause Community Theatre
    • Done to Death
      • Once-famous mystery writers involve the audience as they apply their individual methods to solving various murders. They include a couple who write sophisticated murder mysteries, a young author of the James Bond school, a retired writer of hard-hitting thrillers, and an aging queen of the logical whodunit.
  • Northern Starz Center for the Performing Arts
    • 26 Pebbles
      • On December 14, 2012, 20 children and 6 adults died in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Following the tragedy, the community rallied together to care for and support each other as the world watched their suffering. Eric Ulloa’s documentary drama 26 Pebbles chronicles the experiences of the parents and community members of Newtown and Sandy Hook. In a series of monologues and short dialogues, they tell the story of their hometown: The experience of community events, the day of the shooting and their panic, the grief and trauma following the tragedy.
  • Calumet Players
    • Get Over It
      • “Get over it” is about aging and the different levels and dilemmas. Also what is the relationship between Steve and Sylvia.
• Performance session 4 – Saturday @ 7:30 pm
  • Ole Olson Onstage
    • Trapp’s Last Crepe 
      • Originally a modernization of Samuel Beckett’s “Krapp’s Last Tape,” this story changed its gender after January 20 and is now a meditation in which the characters in Grant Wood’s “American Gothic,” we’ll call them Ole and Lena, come to life.
  • FungusAmongus Players
    • Finishing school
      • This comedy about life’s second act finds older gents Al and Wizzer meeting on a park bench every morning to read and mock newspaper obits. Their daily rituals-shooting the bull about sports, women loved and lost and the many annoyances of aging-are suddenly shaken up by the appearance of a friendly young woman and her flirty mom. Wizzer pep-talks lonely widower Al to convince him to break out of his self-imposed “quantum of solace” and maybe find love again, while also dealing with his own fear of ending up in the memory care unit at their assisted living facility. Punctuated with true-to-life moments familiar to anyone with an aging parent or spouse, the play takes an upbeat attitude toward life after 60, 70 and beyond.

Workshop sessions will include:

• Workshop session 1 – Friday @ 8:30 am
  • Improv for actors
    • Presented by: Tom Nelson, Cokato
    • in the Gallery
    • 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, Cokato
    • in Studio 4
    • 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.
  • Fleshing out the character:
    Using makeup, prosthetics, wigs and accessories to bring a character to life
    • Presented by A. Emily Heaney, White Bear Lake
    • in the Classroom
    • This workshop will show actors and designers how to use various stage and fx makeups to create a variety of looks, and how to incorporate wigs, beards and moustaches, prosthetics and accessories for the finishing touch.  These tips and techniques are particularly useful when playing multiple roles in a musical or large-scale Shakespearean production. Learn what products are always useful to have in your makeup kit. (For health/sanitation reasons, this will be a demonstration workshop, with additional information on finding how-to videos for future reference).
    • Emily is a Twin Cities-based costume designer and actor with over 30 years of experience both onstage and behind the scenes. She has worked with many theaters in the Twin Cities area and around the state. Emily is the National Costume Rental Sales Coordinator for Norcostco, Inc. in Golden Valley, and has previously worked in their makeup department. Her skills were put to the test as she participated in Shakespeare & Company’s online live readings of all 37 Shakespeare plays, dubbed “Plaguespeare & Company”, during 2021.
• Workshop Session 2—Friday @ 10:00 am
  • How to Make a Scene – Dramatic Archeology: Intuition, Excavation, and Dramaturgy
    • Presented by: Michelle Schwantes, St. Paul
    • in the Classroom
    • In this engaging, interactive workshop participants will approach scene work through intuition, excavation, and dramaturgical lenses providing them with dynamic tools and actionable insight to expand their theatrical practice and deepen their connection to dramatic text.
      They will explore the joys of character through play and collaboration while embracing the beauty of their unique artistic voice.
    • For over twenty years, Michelle has worked professionally as a freelance director, playwright, choreographer, theatre educator, and evaluator. During this period, she has worked regularly with community, educational, and professional theatres of various structures, budgetary restrictions, and organizational approaches.
      She has a deep respect and understanding for the expertise, artistry, and spirit that is required to produce any theatrical production.
      She works as a Performance, Technical, and Pre-Show Evaluator for Hennepin Arts (Formerly Hennepin Theatre Trust.) in their Spotlight Program. This work allows her to provide an outside perspective for productions to acknowledge and award the excellent work being done in educational theatre within Minnesota. She provides professional insight and feedback to encourage growth, instruct and engage with students, and direct financial and educational resources to where they can best be utilized.
  • Swashbuckling 101—Part 2
    • Presented by: Dave Metcalf, Cokato
    • in Studio 4
    • 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 Penguin Project – Theatre for individuals with Disabilities
    • Presented by: Paula Anderson & Viva Anderson, Ramsey
    • in the Gallery
    • Join Paula Anderson, Director of the MN Chapter of the Penguin Project®, as she shares about this amazing opportunity for theatre artists with special needs! The Penguin Project®, founded by Dr. Andrew Morgan in 2003 in Peoria, Illinois, is a national non-profit organization with the vision of creating unrestricted access for children with special needs to the performing arts.
    • Paula is on staff with Northern Starz Center for the Performing Arts in Ramsey; which is home to two MN Chapter of the Penguin Project’s (Ramsey and White Bear Lake) (ages 10-23), the Penguin Players (age 16 to 100+), and the Playful Penguins (ages 5 to 10). Paula will be joined by Penguin Players Costumer, Viva Anderson.
• Workshop Session 3—Saturday 8:30 am 
  • Getting it Done on a Dime
    • Presented by: Steven LaVigne, Minneapolis
    • in the Classroom
    • This workshop will show you how to access plays in the Public Domain, titles you can produce without having to license them, pay for performance rights and making any changes you need to make for a successful production.
    • Steven LaVigne (Director, Playwright) has been with Corcoran Park Players and Classics Lost ‘N‘ Found Theater Company since 1982.  This fall’s Mary Rose by Sir James M. Barrie will be his 77th production. He has directed  for many  theaters. He’s happily retired and enjoys travel, theater, movies, opera and reading.
  • Acting (with Fights)
    • Presented by: Mike Speck, Winona
    • in Studio 4
    • Looking at stage combat from the perspective of an actor pursuing an in-character objective.
    • Mike Speck is a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors. He teaches and choreographs stage combat regularly for Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI. Favorite projects include a six-man small sword fight choreographed as a theme-and-variations; a full-cast bar brawl incorporating thrown drinks, tipped furniture, and Latin Dance; a 6’2″ Tybalt vs a 4’10” Mercutio; and a case of rapiers fight where Phrase IV’s choreography was “Phrase II, only backwards.” 
  • Why Do Shakespeare? A Guide for a Community Theater Approach to the Bard  
    • Presented by: Carney Gray, Minneapolis
    • in the Gallery
    • This workshop will look at both the benefits and the challenges to a community theater producing Shakespeare. We will give participants tools to make Shakespeare more approachable and understandable, for the actors and the audience. We will look at the advantages and challenges of producing Shakespeare. We will break down the language, and look at strategies to help make the language comprehensible, without sacrificing the poetry.
    • Carney is a Twin Cities based professional producer, director and actor working in film, video, commercial, industrial, voice-over, print, hand modeling and the stage.  He has a long history of stage credits.  He earned an MFA in theater (professional actor training program) from Ohio State University, and a BA in theater arts from the University of Minnesota.
• Workshop Session 4—Saturday 10:00 am
  • Communicating Through Character
    • Presented by: Kelly Florence, Duluth
    • in the Classroom
    • Approaching character analysis through science and the skills of communication arts.  Author, teacher and director Kelly Florence will explore how artists can use tool in psychology, science and communications to better understand characters and bring them to life.
    • Kelly Florence is on the faculty at Lake Superior Community College.
    • She has been involved with theatre all her life being an enthusiastic audience member, actor, choreographer, director, stage manager, playwright, and everything in between. 
    • Kelly received her BA in theatre at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and her MA in communicating arts with an emphasis in theatre at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. She has directed theatre programs at the high school since 1996 and have taught and directed theatre at the college level since 2004.  Kelly was a member of the Duluth Playhouse Company and a board member for the Wise Fool Theatre.  As a published author, Kelly has also researched and written about numerous productions for her non-fiction books and continue to support local and national theatre.
    • As a speech coach, Kelly served as a judge for dozens of meets and served as an adjudicator for the MN State High School league one act festival at the regional level.
  • Working with a Fight Director
    • Presented by: Mike Speck, Winona
    • in Studio 4
    • How to make best use of a stage combat choreographer, and why you should have one.
    • Mike Speck is a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors. He teaches and choreographs stage combat regularly for Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI. Favorite projects include a six-man small sword fight choreographed as a theme-and-variations; a full-cast bar brawl incorporating thrown drinks, tipped furniture, and Latin Dance; a 6’2″ Tybalt vs a 4’10” Mercutio; and a case of rapiers fight where Phrase IV’s choreography was “Phrase II, only backwards.”
  • Enough! Plays to End Gun Violence
    • Presented by: Debbie Schneider, Minneapolis
    • in the Gallery
    • Last fall Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a landmark Surgeon General’s Advisory on Firearm Violence, declaring firearm violence in America to be a public health crisis.  This program creates space for teens to confront gun violence by creating new works of theatre that will spark critical conversations and inspire meaningful action in communities across the country.
    • This workshop will help your organization understand what you will need to do to host a staged reading of ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence.  The workshop will focus on answering the following questions:
      • What is the ENOUGH! Nationwide Reading?
      • Can I preview the plays?
      • What fees are associated with the reading?
      • How much rehearsal is needed?
      • What does casting look like?
      • What resources are provided?
      • Can we charge admission?
      • How long is the reading?
      • How do I engage a community partner?
    • You will get all the information you need to formulate a plan in this workshop. Thank you for being willing to say ENOUGH!

Entries for shows were accepted starting on September 15th. The entry deadline was December 16, 2024 (received by date). See below for theatre registration forms.

The theatre registration fee was $250 (includes one full package – a $150 value). NEW THIS Festival: If your theatre has not participated in a MACT*Fest in the last 10 years (5 MACT*Fests), we are offering a $100 discount to encourage your theatre to give MACT*Fest a try. MACT is also dedicating the funds raised through our annual “Give to the MACT” fundraiser to refund part of the registration fee for presenting theatres. Additional funding for presenting theatres will be provided from the William Muchow Memorial Fund ($222 was presented to each presenting theatre).

We are trying very hard to keep costs low for participating theatres. Your suggestions regarding ways for us to keep costs low are always welcome. This festival’s budget is over $23,000 and, as usual, is budgeted to lose money. The costs include facilities rental and staff, adjudicator and AACT Festival Commissioner costs (travel, hotels & meals), mailing and promotions, socials costs (rent & food), ASL interpreters, audio describer and many more items. (The festival’s full budget is available on request.)

As we have done in the past, MACT Fest 2025 will limit the number of entering companies to 12. 

Should more than 12 companies apply by the entry deadline (December 16, 2024), there will be a random drawing to select the 12 participating companies and their performance order – filling the last performance slot first and working backwards from there – and to establish a waiting list for the remaining companies. 

If less than 12 companies apply by the deadline, a random drawing will be held to select the performance order – filling the last performance slot first and working backwards from there.  Additional entries will be accepted at the higher registration fee ($350) on a first-come-first-served basis until January 15, 2025 or until all 12 performance slots are filled.

Rehearsals will start on Thursday, March 6. There will also be rehearsals on Friday and Saturday morning. Rehearsal times and performance order have been set.

In addition to the registration fee listed above, your theatre (and/or the people involved with your show) is responsible for all travel, lodging, meals and other expenses associated with your participation in the festival. While we hope everyone involved with your show will purchase a full package for the festival ($150), and enjoy all the benefits of the festival, they are required to at least purchase a ticket to the performance session ($25) they are performing in. (Even though they may not get to see any other show performing in their performance session.) NOTE: at the regional and national festivals. ALL persons involved with a show (basically anyone allowed at the show’s rehearsal) MUST purchase a full package.

Two shows from this festival will be selected to represented Minnesota at
the Region V AACTFest to be held April 3-5, 2025 in Newton, Iowa.

At least one show from the Region V festival will advance to the national AACTFest
The AACTFest 2025 national festival is set for
June 22-29, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa,
at the historic Hoyt Sherman Place Theater.

When completing the AACT on-line forms,
use WebmasterMACT@gmail.com as the festival chair email address

Theatre Entry Cover Letter (PDF) here

Theatre Entry Supplemental Information Letter (PDF) here

MACT*Fest 2025 Entry Form (PDF) here
(Please complete and send us this form as well as completing the AACT Company Entry Information Form (T1).)

Click here for the 2025 AACTFest festival handbook which includes the rules for participating theatres

Click here for an article on cutting plays for a festival

Click here for more information on what we are looking for in a host theatre

Click here for the application form to host MACT*Fest