Welcome to EMACT!
The mission of the Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theatres is to encourage and promote Community Theater in Eastern Massachusetts through educational programming, supportive services, and the recognition of excellence. EMACT is a member of the American Association of Community Theatres (AACT). Membership in EMACT is open to any community theatre group in eastern Massachusetts.
Our membership year begins on July 1st and ends June 30th. Community theatre companies or groups must be members of EMACT to enjoy its benefits and services, which include the DASH review program, member assistance grants, service recognition, and the theatre festival. More information on the Membership page.
Announcements
Grant Writing Workshop - March 23
Have you ever wanted to pursue grants for your organization, but don't know where to start? EMACT is sponsoring a Grant Writing Workshop with Michael McGarty Saturday, March 23 at 10AM at Quannapowitt Players.
Some topics we'll cover in this 2-hour session:
Michael McGarty is the Director of Development for the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild (METG), a non-profit organization that promotes excellence, access, and education in the theatrical arts for middle and secondary school students and teachers. Projects have ranged from writing proposals for specific new programs, to prospect research and fundraising guidance, to ongoing grant writing and development work. He manages the Guild’s donation campaigns and other fundraising projects annually, raising 30% of the organization’s operating budget. As a theater educator, Michael graduated with a Masters Degree from Middlebury College and then founded and served as Artistic Director of the Harvard Community Theater from 1976 – 2012. He was named Best Director at the EMACT and NERF Festivals for the productions of 'Crossing Brooklyn,' 'The Mistress Cycle' and 'Still Life'. Last year, DASH presented him with the Best Director award for his production of 'Out of Order' at the MMAS Black Box Theater.
Where: Quannapowitt Players, 55 Hopkins Street, Reading MA
When: Saturday, March 23, 10AM-12PM
Please RSVP by March 20 at the following link if you plan to attend:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054CA8AA2EABFB6-grant
Some topics we'll cover in this 2-hour session:
- Need Identification - For what exactly do you need funding? What sets you apart from everyone else?
- Research - Who funds what you do? How do you find out funder interests? How much will they normally fund?
- Writing/Best Practices - Making the best case possible for your group's projects.
- Creating a realistic project budget.
- Following Up - Next steps once results are in.
Michael McGarty is the Director of Development for the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild (METG), a non-profit organization that promotes excellence, access, and education in the theatrical arts for middle and secondary school students and teachers. Projects have ranged from writing proposals for specific new programs, to prospect research and fundraising guidance, to ongoing grant writing and development work. He manages the Guild’s donation campaigns and other fundraising projects annually, raising 30% of the organization’s operating budget. As a theater educator, Michael graduated with a Masters Degree from Middlebury College and then founded and served as Artistic Director of the Harvard Community Theater from 1976 – 2012. He was named Best Director at the EMACT and NERF Festivals for the productions of 'Crossing Brooklyn,' 'The Mistress Cycle' and 'Still Life'. Last year, DASH presented him with the Best Director award for his production of 'Out of Order' at the MMAS Black Box Theater.
Where: Quannapowitt Players, 55 Hopkins Street, Reading MA
When: Saturday, March 23, 10AM-12PM
Please RSVP by March 20 at the following link if you plan to attend:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054CA8AA2EABFB6-grant
Call for DASH Consultants!
Want to get more involved in your wider theater community? Consider becoming a DASH Consultant! Our pool is comprised of experienced community theater directors and professional educators with backgrounds in theater arts, art education, and/or hands-on experience. To keep the DASH program robust we are always looking for qualified people to take on this very important role. Learn more about what it takes to become a DASH consultant and submit a resume!
2018-2019 EMACT Membership Registration
The EMACT membership year begins on July 1st and ends June 30th every calendar year. Community theatre companies or groups must be registered member groups of EMACT to enjoy member benefits and services, which include the DASH program, the DASH Plus program, member assistance grants, service recognition, education sessions, and festivals.
The Basic fee for Companies/Groups is $50 and your group may join at anytime throughout the year. The Enhanced Membership includes 2 DASH show entries and is $120, An Enhanced Plus Membership includes two DASH Plus show entries for $150.
Please use the FamilyID online membership application here to join EMACT or renew your group's membership for the 2018-2019 membership year at http://www.familyid.com/emact/2018-2019-emact-membership.
Join or Renew Today!
The Basic fee for Companies/Groups is $50 and your group may join at anytime throughout the year. The Enhanced Membership includes 2 DASH show entries and is $120, An Enhanced Plus Membership includes two DASH Plus show entries for $150.
Please use the FamilyID online membership application here to join EMACT or renew your group's membership for the 2018-2019 membership year at http://www.familyid.com/emact/2018-2019-emact-membership.
Join or Renew Today!
Open Letter to Member Groups Regarding Sexual Harrassment
Dear Member Groups,
EMACT has long been an advocate for equality in the Arts. We fully support the right for actors and designers to work in an environment free from any type of harassment or intimidation. If incidents of harassment are brought to our attention, we conduct an investigation to ensure that complaints are valid and corroborated. This action ensures due process. While most of our member groups are volunteer organizations, the law is quite clear about harassment in any environment, professional or volunteer.
EMACT has recently been involved in a sexual harassment complaint. After thorough investigation and corroboration, we found the allegations to be true. As a result, EMACT has decided to sanction the individual involved by eliminating him from any DASH consideration now and in the future and by prohibiting membership now and in the future.
We believe that by taking this action, we establish a solid commitment that we will not tolerate an artistic environment where volunteer artists or designers are intimidated or uncomfortable by overt or subtle sexual inferences. Further, we recommend that Board of Directors or Production teams engage in immediate actions to investigate any and all allegations and bring any such complaints to a satisfactory conclusion.
As an organization of community theatres, we cannot turn a blind eye to these allegations. Our actors and designers have a right to perform and work in an environment free from harassment and intimidation. There is no acceptable place in our community theatres for people to feel uncomfortable or intimidated by unwanted sexual inferences or unwanted advances. EMACT has further agreed to make the following statement as an organization and recommends that our member groups adopt the same or similar statement
and that all volunteers and members agree to behave according to these
standards.
EMACT is committed to an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Each individual has the right to work in a professional atmosphere that promotes equal employment opportunities and prohibits unlawful discriminatory practices, including harassment. Therefore, EMACT expects that all relationships among persons in the theatre are professional and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment.
Thank you for your immediate action.
Sincerely,
Celia A. Couture
President, EMACT
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