Prior to going to Hollywood in 1953, Atterbury's major contribution to the entertainment field was as a theater owner and operator. He and his wife Ellen ran two professional theaters: the Tamarack Playhouse, a summer stock theater in Lake Pleasant NY; and the Playhouse in Albany NY. The latter was the only Equity winter stock company in the country. In Albany, the Atterburys provided opportunities for the young talents of Grace Kelly, Kirk Douglas, Karl Malden, Cliff Robertson, Barbara Cook and Tom Bosley.