Academy History
Ron Anderson
Academy Founder
Ron Anderson, the founder of the Springer Theatre Academy, was a professional actor, director and theatre teacher for nearly four decades. As the Springer’s Artistic Associate and Academy Director, Ron performed in and directed many Springer productions and wrote a number of children’s theatre plays. His legacy lives on at the Springer in the hearts of his students and colleagues and in the enduring impact of his spirit and vision.
Dorothy W. “Dot” McClure
Academy Namesake
Dorothy W. “Dot” McClure, long-time theatre educator and namesake of the Dorothy W. McClure Springer Theatre Academy, is part of the heroic group of local arts patrons who saved the Springer from the wrecking ball in the 1960s. Dot and her co-visionaries restored the Springer to Edwardian splendor and propelled it forward to become the State Theatre of Georgia, a National Historic Landmark and a regional theatre known for the excellence of its production, as a spawning ground for new plays and a teaching theatre with the largest theatre academy in the Southeast.
Since founding the Springer Theatre Academy in 1996, the training program of the State Theatre of Georgia has grown from 200 students to over 700. The Springer Theatre Academy’s success has been the catalyst for the performing arts boom in the Columbus area. We provide well-trained, highly-motivated young artist and valuable educational resources to boost theatre and music programs in schools and theatre companies throughout the region.