Angela Park, Executive Director of the nonprofit 52sumner.com/Springfield Performing Arts Ventures, has a deep passion and commitment to enhancing the performing arts and building community in her home town of Springfield.  She and Board of Directors member Dan McKellick spent a year renovating the old church at 52 Sumner Avenue addressing everything from wiring to heat to creating a state of the art performance space and new professional sound and lighting system. Officially offering her first performances and community events in February 2024, the site is now the home to MOSSO, the Springfield Chamber Players, and the new Springfield Community Theater of MA.

The mission of 52Sumner is to spark the artistic spirit within our urban community, providing a haven for creative expression, cultural enrichment, and personal growth through the arts. We are committed to breaking down barriers, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can access, participate in, and be inspired by the arts. Through education, performance, and outreach, we strive to foster a more vibrant, connected, and culturally enriched city, promoting unity and understanding among all our residents.

Vana Nespor, Artistic Director and Founder of the Springfield Community Theater of MA, brings a wealth of experience in creating innovative and captivating productions. With a passion for storytelling and building community through theater productions, she has directed more than 80 productions and written and produced four musicals based on real stories for communities in Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indonesia, and now Massachusetts. Her day job, as a college administrator in required that she complete four master’s degrees and a doctorate from Columbia University. Yet, finding community talent and helping it shine on the stage is her greatest joy. 

The Mission of Springfield Community Theater of MA is to build a stronger more caring and creative community through high quality, low cost live theater experiences accessible to everyone. We do this by showcasing local talent and celebrating local stories. Choosing shows that touch the heart and mind, that inspire us to laugh, cry, cheer, and make life better for those around us. www. springfield-community-theater-of-ma.org