The Metropolitan Atlanta Theater Awards, founded by Russ Ivey, originated in October of 2004 with the intention of recognizing those hardworking individuals that put their time and effort into Community and Non-Union Professional Theater. There are many aspiring actors that would like to be given recognition for their skills and dedication to the performing arts. Many of those are of the desire to build their resume so that they will be given more audition opportunities. Secondly, many theaters have a hard time marketing themselves so they can draw not only an audience, but a lot of the talent to their shows. This is where the MAT Awards come in. The "MAT" is one of thirty one different categories that are presented on an annual basis. Each year, an Award Ceremony is held to present those awards to the individuals/theaters that have put the time and effort into making their productions great. Those categories are the following:

  ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE, MUSICAL & PLAY

  ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE, MUSICAL & PLAY

  ACTOR IN A MAJOR SUPPORTING ROLE, MUSICAL & PLAY

  ACTRESS IN A MAJOR SUPPORTING ROLE, MUSICAL & PLAY

  ACTOR IN A MINOR SUPPORTING ROLE, MUSICAL & PLAY

  ACTRESS IN A MINOR SUPPORTING ROLE, MUSICAL & PLAY

  YOUTH AWARD, MUSICAL & PLAY (MUST BE 16 YEARS OLD OR YOUNGER)

  SET DESIGN, MUSICAL & PLAY

  LIGHTING DESIGN, MUSICAL & PLAY

  SOUND DESIGN, MUSICAL & PLAY

  COSTUME DESIGN, MUSICAL & PLAY

  MUSICAL DIRECTOR (MUSICAL CATEGORY ONLY)

  CHOREOGRAPHY (MUSICAL CATEGORY ONLY)

  ORIGINAL WORKS (FOR LOCAL WRITER SUBMISSIONS)

  BEST ENSEMBLE, MUSICAL & PLAY

  MOIRA THORNETT DIRECTOR AWARD, MUSICAL & PLAY

  OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF A MUSICAL

  OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF A PLAY

    Since its inception, the MAT Awards have grown into a substantial organization, having tripled in size. During the 2011 Season, the MAT Awards have had the pleasure of working with 20 different theater companies. It is currently a member of the Atlanta Coalition of Performing Arts, AtlantaPlanIt, and is a friend of the Suzi Bass Awards (which provide awards to Atlanta based union theaters and union actors).