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

Round, Round, Get Around …

Fast*Fest “in the Round”

Fast*Fest 2026 will be held August 21 (Friday welcome social) and August 22 (performances) at Theatre in the Round (245 Cedar Avenue) in Minneapolis. This festival will be unique as it will be the first time we’ve done a festival “in the round”, i.e. on an arena stage, where the audience can completely surround the actors. Have you ever wondered about doing a show “in the round”? Have you wondered what it would be like to have the audience on all sides of you? This is a great opportunity to stretch your theatre’s muscles and try this unique format.

We are thrilled to announce that we will allow up to 18 shows in this festival. Our 2024 FAST*Fest at County Seat Theater in Cloquet had a record 15 shows. We are hoping to break that record with this festival to be held conveniently in downtown Minneapolis. This should be a very fun, entertaining and educational festival. As usual, entering a show is free for MACT Theatre members. Non-MACT theatre member groups can enter a show for a $25 registration fee, which included 6 months of MACT membership. The festival is open to existing (non-equity) theatre companies, high school or college theatres or even ad-hoc groups. The shows are frequently original works, but published short play or cuttings from plays are also common. (By registering a show, you are representing that you have the rights to perform the show as it will be presented.)

Shows must be 20-minutes or less. MACT will provide a table and 4 chairs. You may bring one additional set piece and props and costumes. This is meant to be a “tech light” festival. There will be a default lighting plot. No specials are allowed. You will not have an opportunity to rehearse on the stage. You will be able to play music and/or sounds through the house sound system. Full rules and additional information is available on our website.

Registration for shows will open about March 1. The show registration deadline is June 19, 2026. Start planning NOW to take advantage of this unique opportunity to participate in what will surly be a fun and unique adventure.

Have questions or want more information, contact the Fast*Fest chair, Tom Nelson, at tommytomx@gmail.com.