MISSION:

 “The McIntosh Theatre Arts Company (MTAC) will provide a diverse and creative venue for community involvement that will make McIntosh County a cultural arts destination.”    

BACKGROUND:

MTAC was formed during the summer of 2008; is incorporated under GA law; is in compliance with all other state laws; has been granted an IRS 501(c) (3) designation; has a Board of Directors and Officers; has membership open to any interested person for a $10 annual fee; has objectives of being an economic entity in McIntosh County and to feature cultural and historically accurate events / plays and dramas associated with the founding and development of the Southeastern Coast of the USA.

MTAC PROJECTS:

“A Very Dramatic Breakfast” – to introduce MTAC to invited members of the local Business Community; good turnout of members and business leaders; excellent dramatic presentation by Laurie Jo Upchurch, actress and playwright from Baxley, GA. [September, 2008]

“A Very Dramatic Tag Sale” (I, II, and III) – organized and managed by Sheila Parker; merchandise was donated by MTAC members; all very successful fund raisers. [August and November, 2008; March 2009] 

“A Very Dramatic Evening” (I and Take Two) – variety shows featuring local and regional talent; use of M.C.A. auditorium; again, very successful events / fund raisers. [October, 2008; May, 2009]

Funding for Barter Theatre Players (6 actors) from Abingdon, VA to present 2 plays to the students of McIntosh County (Total cost for this event was $1400; MTAC provided $900, Lower Altamaha Historical Society provided $500); use of M.C.A. auditorium (to capacity) for morning and afternoon performances; extremely positive responses from Superintendent and school personnel. [January, 2009]  

February 5-8, 2009: Four MTAC members attended a “SWAMP GRAVY” training seminar in Colquitt, GA. Learning focused on grant writing and storytelling; attendees shared information learned with other MTAC members; grant writing is in progress.

2009: Hired Laurie Jo Upchurch to write a play to depict episodes of the actual history of McIntosh County. The resulting play is entitled "Tabby Walls and Bottle Trees" and is scheduled to be presented on June 11, 12, 13 and June 18 and 19, 2010 at the MCA auditorium.  It is being directed by Annette Logue. This historical drama was developed to be a continuing saga with the first two chapters based on the early days of Darien and Fort King George in the 1700's; the duel between General Lachlan McIntosh and Button Gwinnett; and a visit by Fanny Kemble to the Butler Plantation. After the first presentation in June 2010, subsequent chapters will be presented illustrating confrontations between the native tribes and Spanish missionaries, British raids during the Revolutionary War, Scottish ceremonies, and the burning of Darien during the Civil War.    

November 2009: MTAC participated in Darien's Fall Festival; two students from the drama club at MCA presented the first vignette from "Tabby Walls and Bottle Trees".

April 2010: MTAC participated in “Art in The Park” as a part of the 42^nd Annual Blessing of The Fleet Festival. Thirty members staffed a table selling play tickets. The actor members were in costume stole the venue.

MTAC FUTURE PLANS:

1) Work with the local school system to encourage students to gain an appreciation for the theatre arts.

2) Sponsor summer drama workshops and camps.

3) Encourage business activities generated from theatre productions.             

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

McIntosh Theatre Arts Company Inc.

John Cleveland, Chairman

PO Box 2054 Darien, GA 31305