It was established by Congress in 1935 at the same time as the
Federal Theatre Project. Its mission was to set up a theatre for the whole country. It sponsored architectural contests to build the theatre but its mission was overshadowed by the controversy enveloping the Federal Theatre which some considered too liberal. The group holds a
congressional charter under
Title 36 of the United States Code. After World War II, it reorganized and initially sponsored U.S. shows that toured abroad. In 1950 it bought the
Guild Theatre, a
Broadway theater, and renamed it the ANTA Playhouse. President
Harry S. Truman dedicated the rechristened theatre. The ANTA, under chairman
Robert W. Dowling, announced plans to use the theatre bring regional theatre productions into
New York City. In 1955, under the leadership of
Richard Aldrich,
Warren Caro, and
John Shubert, the ANTA announced the "Forty Theatre Circuit Plan" involving the 40 largest regional theatres across the country stating the "ANTA's primary task is to bring the best plays, interpreted by the best actors, at minimum cost to the nation." Plans called for construction of new theatres across the country and touring companies. However ANTA had problems raising funds for the project and regional theatres objected as they had no formal representation on the ANTA board. In fact the board consisted largely of New York City theatre owners. In the early 1960s it established the
ANTA Washington Square Theatre as the home for the home of the planned theatre company that was to occupy the Vivian Beaumont Theater. ANTA was to produce its most successful plays there including
Man of La Mancha as well as
Arthur Miller's plays
After the Fall and
Incident At Vichy. ANTA leased its Broadway house for commercial productions in the 1970s and sold it in 1981. In 1965 the
League of Resident Theatres was founded to represent the regional theatres. In 1984, the ANTA started the National Theatre Conservatory in
Denver, Colorado. ==References==