Toward a national theatre

The establishment by Congress of a single institution that would produce the best in drama for the United States has been an unfulfilled dream in this country. The 1935 charter from Congress was a recognizable effort signifying the importance of a national theatre in this country. ANTA remained dormant until 1945 when Robert Breen and Robert Porterfield announced the 'Public Theatre Foundation Plan'. The two men were never able to muster support for the plan. In 1955, ANTA announced yet another plan for a national theatre--The Forty Theatre Circuit Plan calling for the decentralization of the American Theatre. However, this plan was never realized. ANTA remained inactive until the mid 1980's when yet another ANTA project was launched at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The national theatre at The Kennedy Center failed to generate support and closed after a brief eighteen months. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.).