ANTA West was a non profit corporation organized in the state of California, in September 1957, to stimulate public interest in the performing arts and to foster and support live theatrical activity. The collection consists of files related to their activities and includes meeting minutes, committee reports, correspondence, financial records, and publications.

ANTA West (American National Theater and Academy West) was originally chartered as the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the American National Theatre and Academy, Inc. In the early years, the organization was also known as the ANTA Southern California Chapter and/or the ANTA Los Angeles-Southern California Chapter. In May 1957, John Angelo and David Bond, along with a group of about one-hundred West Coast participants, met with ANTA National Executive Director Willard Swire, and it was decided that a Los Angeles ANTA chapter would be formed. Angelo and Bond were selected as co-chairs of a temporary action committee to work with ANTA Regional Director Wray Davis. Later that month, the first organizational meeting was held at the Huntington Hartford Theater with more than 250 people in attendance. Among the panelists at the first meeting were David Bond, Wray Davis, Jack Morrison (UCLA drama department), Kent Smith, and Grayce Smith. A major outcome of the meeting was a decision that a California non-profit corporation be formed; Grayce Smith, a prominent theatrical attorney, was to prepare the incorporation papers. A temporary board of directors was appointed to draw up a constitution and by-laws for the chapter. Seventy-five members supported the founding of the local Southern California ANTA chapter.

6.75 linear ft. (15 boxes)

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