Montana Actors' Theatre Updates
From Artistic Director, Grant Olson
June 20, 2020
Hello again from the Montana Actors’ Theatre! As we continue to navigate through the COVID – 19 pandemic, MAT would like to keep you informed about our plans to bring you live theatre in Northern Montana. First of all, our MAT -Young Professionals Program, KidsMAT, and MAT Youth programs have all started in accordance to CDC guidelines in order to keep all participants safe.
We would like to welcome the 2020 Interns: Aria Pratt, Hannah Bricker and Marcee Murphy to a very strange summer internship! Our interns have spent their first week with students grades K-8 on the first of many Acting Up KidsMAT summer theatre camps. They will be offering additional camps June 22-26, July 6-9 and July 13-16 in Havre. Camps will also be offered in Chinook June 29-July 2, Shelby July 20-23, and Rocky Boy July 27-30 as long as it is still safe to do so. In their busy first week, the interns also took the first steps in their task of producing a full-length production of The Wizard of OZ by casting the show with local Middle School and High School aged actors. They also invited a regular from MAT’s main stage productions, Ben Hall, to serve as a mentor adult actor in this production. This show is set for performance August 6-8 and 13-15.
As we still have not reached PHASE 3 of the Governor’s plan to reopen the state, MAT has made the decision to delay the opening of MAMMA MIA! until September of 2020, contingent of reaching PHASE 3 by that time. We are still planning on a 1950’s themed Death by Chocolate event in early October. MAT intends on producing a full season for 2020-2021, with a great variety of quality productions that you have come to expect. Additionally, we are still committed to producing Ticked Off! as a very special production within next season in order to accommodate the cast that has already spent much time bringing this new work from local playwright Rachel Hutchison to life. We have also made the decision to postpone Charlie and the Chocolate Factory until May of 2021 in order to make sure we can deliver a production of the highest quality with as many members of the current cast as possible.
As you are all well aware, guidelines and protocols in order to keep Montana safe and healthy are in constant flux as new information becomes available. MAT is committed to providing the highest quality local live theatre to our especially supportive audience here in Northern Montana. We are also particularly concerned with making sure we keep you and our performers as safe as possible as the country deals with the COVID – 19 pandemic. MAT is continuously monitoring the situation and making contingency plan upon contingency plan in order to best serve our mission to “Educate, entertain and enlighten through the performing arts to enhance community relationships and improve quality of life.” Thank you again for your support, we truly could not do what we do without the generous support of our audience, sponsors, and producers.
The Montana Actors’ Theatre will once again offer KidsMAT Summer Theatre camps to area youth this year!
There will be, however, significant changes in the nature of the camps due to Covid-19 in order to keep everyone safe. All KidsMAT camps will take place outdoors in public parks and the final performance will as well. In addition, all camps will be strictly limited to twenty participants. This year, all MAT interns, who run the camps, are local students so as to eliminate the risk of exposure from outside communities. Finally, all materials needed to maintain cleanliness and sanitation will be available and safe practices will be implemented.
MAT has been offering KidsMAT for over fifteen years and feels it’s especially important to keep the program active this coming summer. Every effort will be made to minimize risk for all participants while still allowing them to have fun! Now, more than ever, kids need some fun!
MAT will also be offering middle and high school aged students the opportunity to participate in our youth show The Wizard of Oz, which will “go up” in August. Like KidsMAT, this production has been modified and will also take place outside! Auditions will be held Wednesday, June 10 and Thursday, June 11 from 6 to 8 pm outside the MAT theatre on campus.
Havre KidsMAT camps will take place June 15-18, June 22-25, July 6-9, and July 13-16. Chinook KidsMAT will take place June 29-July 2 and Shelby camp will be July 20-23. Registration is $50 for the first child of a family and $35 for each additional child. Scholarships are available, The Rocky Boy camp will be held July 27-30 and registration is handled locally.
We at MAT are absolutely committed to working in a safe environment and will follow all state guidelines in regards to Covid-19. Visit the KidsMAT page for more information about our safety procedures.
Shakespeare's Birthday
aPRIL 23, 2020
Actors from all over the world with ties to Montana Actors' Theatre read or perform excerpts from all 37 of Shakespeare's plays and 2 sonnets. Recorded April 23, 2020 during the COVID-19 outbreak. Originally broadcast live via Facebook.
Special thanks to all those who participated!
Lyrics by Angela Murri
Performed by cast members of MAT's production of Mamma Mia coming soon!
2019-2020 Season
Producers and Funders
reviews
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Fabulous, recommend to anyone, acting superb, singing out of this world very good job everyone 
Clyde Thomas Jr.
March 10, 2018 - Always amazing !!! Never a disappointment, so much fun!!
Tara Zuelke
January 5, 2018 -
We love MAT THEATRE! They allow us to host Dinner Theatre in smalltown Chinook. It's a Special night out for people with a wonderful meal and HILARIOUS entertainment! For those of you haven't been to see them, you're missing a REALLY GREAT SHOW! 
Chinook Eagles
April 4, 2019 - The play The Wind in the Willows was very enjoyable! I am sure I will go back for another play!
Barb Crump
May 22, 2017 - All who were involved with band geeks were phenomenal! Great job!
Angela L Murri
August 5, 2016 - This place is such an awesome asset to the hi-line…Love it!
Tammy Neely Edwards
November 22, 2016 - All of the productions I have been to were excelent. The Havre area is loaded with some very talented people.
Cliff Plum
March 11, 2019 - This show could play in any small town or major city! Absolutely phenomenal!! Great job to the directors, orchestra and all the cast members and of course my Deloris, you are Amazing! <3
LaVonne Ellis
March 18, 2018 - Each and every play I am blown away by the talent of our actors. Ask me to choose between Broadway and MAT- and I’ll choose MAT every time!
Marisa Olson-Robertson
June 30, 2019 - Was a great show! Thank you for giving my son Brandon Matte the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful program. 😊
Aly Brekhus
August 7, 2017