Act 3 Wins Top Theater Awards Again

From Julie Herron Carson

Act 3 Productions, the professional-level community theater based in Sandy Springs, has won 14 Metropolitan Atlanta Theater (MAT) awards, the most awards bestowed to a local theater company. 

The honors were announced at an awards banquet this past weekend and included Best Overall Performance of a Musical, Best Overall Performance of a Play and Best Original Work. In addition, Act3 won several Best Ensemble awards and Best Leading Actor and Best Leading Actress awards.

“Last year, we won 11 awards, which was a MAT record, so we are beyond thrilled to break our own record this year with 14 awards,” said Patti Mactas, Act3 Productions’ artistic director and an East Cobb resident. “We were honored in a number of categories: Acting, ensemble, directing, performance, musical direction and sound design."

She continued, "I am especially proud of the Best Original Work award won by our first original musical production, "By Wheel and By Wing." It was created by a diverse group of local students from area high schools and the University of Georgia, and played to standing-room only audiences earlier this year.”

The theater company has its roots in East Cobb, as it began producing shows 11 years ago at . The founding "Drama Mamas" had children at the school and continued their work at , producing several musicals there. 

Act3 Productions was formed five years ago, moving into theater space in the Sandy Springs Plaza Shopping Center. The five founders, including Mactas, Susan Anderson, Johnna Mitchell, Theresa Dean and Lyn Taylor still reside in East Cobb.

This is the first time one theater company has won the top awards for Best Musical, Best Play and Best Original Work. Act3 Productions won the following MAT awards:

• Best Overall Performance of a Musical for Xanadu
• Best Overall Performance of a Play for Noises Off
• Best Original Work for By Wheel and By Wing
• Best Ensemble in a Musical for Xanadu
• Best Ensemble in a Play for Noises Off
• Best Leading Actress in a Musical for Maggie Taylor in Xanadu
• Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Joe Arnotti in Xanadu
• Best Major Supporting Actress in a Musical for Kandice Arrington in Xanadu
• Best Actress in a Minor Supporting Role in a Musical for Caty Bergmark in Xanadu
• Best Actor in a Minor Supporting Role in a Musical for Daniel Pino in Xanadu
• Youth Award in a Musical for Jo-Jo Steine in Xanadu
• Moira Thornett Director’s Award for a Musical for Patti Mactas, Xanadu
• Best Musical Direction for Lyn Taylor and Greg Windle, Xanadu
• Best Sound Design in a Play for Casey Lynn Hoffman, Noises Off

“The awards validate our mission to produce the highest-quality dramas and musicals showcasing some of the finest local talent available. Everyone at Act3,including actors, technical staff, musicians, supporters and our audiences, shares in these awards," Mactas said.