The American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) is a national organization chartered in 1935 by a special Act of the United States Congress as a self-sustaining non-profit corporation, with non-restrictive in membership, and with the purpose of “extending the living theatre to every state in the union.” ANTA chartered regional chapters which functioned as independent community theatre groups. Founded in 1960 by Arthur T. Andrewes, the Western Massachusetts Chapter received its charter in June 1961. Mr. Andrewes studied under Norman Lear among others and had a dance career that included appearances in dance festivals at Jacob Pillow. Following an automobile accident in 1956, Arthur turned to choreography. He served as the executive director for 25 years. The chapter continued to put on productions until the fall of 1990.

The first few years were spent in different theaters in Western Massachusetts until a home was found through the generosity of Springfield College. The association with Springfield College began in 1964 with ANTA’s venture into educational theatre. The idea was to develop cultural activities designed for educational systems at all levels, including the Children’s theatre group. By 1965-66, the productions became part of the William T. Simpson Series. The Western Mass Chapter was sponsored by the Springfield College Cultural Affairs Committee of which William Blizard, former Director of Arts and Urban Living at Springfield College, was a member. Five plays each year were presented in Moses Hall in the Beveridge Center (later in the Fuller Arts Center) on the Springfield College campus. The last production was produced in 1990. In addition to the theatre productions, ANTA also held weekly actors workshops open to College students and set up a special ANTA fund to furnish and equip the theatre at the College.

Community involvement was an important part of ANTA. ANTA productions were held at Chicopee High School, American International College, Elms College, University of Massachusetts, and Westside among a few, and ANTA served local community theatre with technical advice, equipment loans, weekly acting workshops, and lighting and directing workshops. Local professional and business people were recognized for their support and contributions to ANTA. For example, Richard C. Garvey, editor of the Springfield Daily News received the third annual Rose Kamberg Citation awarded to” those who have contributed to the growth of the theatre and performing arts.” The award is given in memory of Rose Kamberg, a cultural leader and theatre patron in the greater Springfield area. Upon receiving the award, Richard Garvey said “treatment of the arts in the daily press had a profound effect on the growth and understanding of the arts as legitimate components of a healthy community.” Laurence Wallace, executive officer of Forbes and Wallace also received the Kamberg recognition for his contributions to local activities including recruiting businesses to the MA Council on Arts and Humanities.