CIRCLE

FESTIVAL

In a city that thrives on theatrical innovation, the Circle Theater Festival boldly steps forward, offering an audacious alternative to Broadway's sheen. This festival, with its European fringe influence and Off-Broadway experimentation, presents hybrid theater at its most elemental.

The festival’s productions are a far cry from the predictable polish of mainstream theater. Instead, they offer unvarnished performances that are as gripping as they are honest. Here, theater is stripped to its core, allowing the raw talent and passion of the performers to shine through. It's a bold reminder that great theater doesn't require elaborate sets or costumes—just a powerful story and the courage to tell it.

CIRCLE

FESTIVAL

Show Catalogue

August 30th-

October 19th

Weekends Only at AMT Theater

Close-up of a black sculpture with gold lines and a somber facial expression, promoting a theater play titled 'Mom Play' directed by Ishq Pradhan, performed during the Circle Theater Festival from August 30th to October 19th at the AMT Theater in New

A promotional poster for the theater festival featuring Edward Allan Baker's play "Three One-Act Plays." The poster includes the names of various contributors and the performance dates, held from August 30th to October 19th at the AMT Theater in New

The poster for the theatrical production "Don't Push the Red Button" by Zachary Mailhot, directed by Chris Cavazza, part of the Circle Theater Festival scheduled from August 30th to October 19th at the AMT Theater in New York City. The background fea

Poster for the theater festival 'Circle' featuring the play 'Replica' by Paul Tully, running September 6th to 14th at AMT Theater in New York City, with a foggy street scene in the background.

A promotional poster for a theatrical production titled 'Sugar and Salt,' inspired by Candy Darling, showing five performers dressed in glamorous, vintage costumes standing against a mosaic tiled background. The text indicates the show runs from Augu

Close-up of crumpled pink and white satin fabric, used in a theatrical poster for the Circle Theater Festival's production of Enmeshment, held from August 30th to October 19th at AMT Theater, New York.

Poster for the theater production 'Women Who Cut,' featuring a close-up of a woman in leather lingerie with a chain leash around her neck, with red and blue lighting, promoting the Circle Theater Festival in New York from August 30 to October 19.

Poster for a play titled "The Sleepover Show" featuring four women in colorful pajamas laughing and smiling together, with details about the theater festival, dates, and location.

Close-up of two hands clasped together, with a blurred background and overlaid text for a theater production titled "Into Your Hands". The text includes the cast, director, dates, and location of the event.

Poster for the theater festival 'Lodestone' showing a hand holding a large, clear, faceted gemstone with reflections and refractions. Text includes details about the cast, crew, production, dates, and location.

A hand with red painted nails holds a glass of pink wine, while a bottle pours more wine into it. The background is gray. Text on the image indicates a theater festival titled 'Packed', directed by Elise Wilkes, taking place from August 30th to Octob

A poster for a theater festival with two pink water lilies floating on water, reflecting their images, with the title 'Another Kind of Holding On' and details about the event, including dates, location, and director.

Critics’ Choice

Three Short Plays by Edward Allan Baker

“There is no better acting

anywhere in New York City

on Broadway or off.”

-Nicole Jesson, Theatre Beyond Broadway

LINEUP

INTO YOUR HANDS by Nick Navari
PACKED by Elise Wilkes
ENMESHMENT by Caity Ladda
ANOTHER KIND OF HOLDING ON by Genevieve Scott
LODESTONE by Constance Lake
SUNBREAK by Jonathan Goetzman
WOMEN WHO CUT by Ariella Carmell
SUGAR AND SALT directed by Andy Reiff
THREE SHORT PLAYS by Edward Allan Baker
MOM PLAY by Madelyn Slattery
REPLICA by Paul Tully
DON’T PUSH THE RED BUTTON by Zachary Mailhot
SLEEPOVER SHOW from Pretty Funny Comedy
Special Event - Things I Am Totally, Completely, and Utterly Ashamed Of

WEEKLY

SCHEDULE

Schedule of events for the Circle Theater Festival Weekend 4 on September 20 and 21, with colorful backgrounds and a QR code at the bottom right.

A Look Into Sunbreak

PRESS

RJ Theatre Company has revealed the complete lineup for Circle Festival 2025, returning August 30 through October 19 with twelve groundbreaking productions at AMT Theater. Produced in association with The Actor Launchpad, this year's festival builds on the momentum of its sold-out debut, which drew over 1,000 audience members to The Flea Theater. Read more here.
Sunbreak, a haunting family drama by Jonathan Goetzman, will make its Equity debut as a headlining selection of Circle Festival 2025, produced by RJ Theatre Company and The Actor Launchpad. Directed by Leah Reddy, the production stars Alix Curnow (American Horror Story, Mean Girl Murders, Finding the Strength to Heal) and Martina Ferragamo, making her Off-Broadway debut in what promises to be the start of her most eventful season yet. Read more here.
Read more here.
“There is no better acting anywhere in New York City on Broadway or off. Prepare to have your heart broken, but your soul enriched.”

A woman sitting on a theater stage, holding another woman in her lap, both appearing emotional with tears in their eyes, with a quote overlay about sunbreak and exploring why we push away loved ones, at the Circle Theater Festival.

A woman sitting at a table on stage, writing in a notebook, with a coffee mug, a coffee maker, and a table with a red and white checkered cloth in front of her, with a quote overlay about Suzanne Di Donna's performance.

Woman with shoulder-length brown hair holding a white coffee mug, speaking with her left hand raised, in a setting resembling a casual talk or interview, with ketchup and mustard bottles on a checkered tablecloth in front of her.

Two women in black outfits, one in the foreground with dark hair, and one in the background with curly red hair, posing provocatively. There is a quote overlay: 'There’s suspense, mounting jeopardy and redemption' by Jason Rohrer, Theater-Los Angeles

A young woman with dark hair, wearing a black choker and a denim jacket, sitting in front of a dark background, with a quote overlayed that reads, 'A truly wonderful play.'

A young woman with long brown hair wearing a black and white striped shirt and a cross necklace, looking upwards with a concerned expression, with white text above her that says 'You will be left with your heart breaking for all.' by Nicole Jessen, d

A woman with brown hair in a braid, wearing a black blazer, looking to the side, with a quote overlay that reads 'Remarkable... beautifully strange, raw and utterly believable.'

Three women sitting on a couch, one in the middle with a dark dress and leopard print underwear, and two women on either side with different expressions. There is a quote over the image that says, "These women will happily kick your ass." - Jason Roh

Two women sitting on a couch, one with dark hair and the other with light hair, engaged in an intimate conversation. The woman with dark hair has her hand near her mouth, while the woman with light hair is leaning in. The image features a quote: 'Rep

A woman with pink and blonde hair sitting on a bed with a pink pillow, wearing a beige t-shirt and shorts, with a book or magazine nearby, black background, quote about dancing and fighting.

Three actors from the TV show 'Stage Raw' engaged in a scene, with a quote overlay reading 'Risky and dangerous.'

A man with brown hair, wearing a white shirt and a floral tie, speaking on stage with a dark background, with a quote overlay saying, 'The gifted Nick Navari shares his journey of his loss and grief from being the friend left behind' by Kristin Hardw

A young man with brown hair plays the piano, wearing a light-colored shirt and a floral tie, looking upward with a focused expression. A quote appears at the top of the image.

Young woman with dark hair, wearing makeup, jewelry, and a partially unbuttoned shirt, sitting on a couch with a lollipop in her mouth and a confident expression.

Two women are on stage, one sitting and one lying down, sharing a joyful moment together. Audience members are visible in the foreground. The background shows moving boxes labeled 'Living Room' and 'Bedding' from ACE Hardware.

Black background with white text that reads "RJ Theatre Co."

Black square promotional graphic with white text and circular design for 'The Actor Launchpad NYC'.

Circle Festival 2025 Photos By Tamar Shemesh

CIRCLE

FESTIVAL

2024

Blurred image promoting the Circle Theater Festival, held from September 7 to November 2 at The Flea Theater in New York City, featuring logos for RJ Theatre Co. and The Actor Launchpad.

RAW | BARE | UNFILTERED

Book Your Tickets!

LINEUP

10:30 am - 12:00 pm | Princess Hamlet A gender-bent reimagining of the prince(ss) of Denmark. Experience Shakespeare’s classic tragedy through a fresh lens, where the roles and perspectives are redefined, casting new light on timeless themes of ambition, revenge, and madness.

12:30 pm - 2:00 pm | Private Struggle, Public Stage
Three short plays exploring the hidden narratives behind public personas. Unveil the personal battles and intricate emotions that remain unseen in public life, highlighting the masks we wear and the stories we hide.

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm | PVT. Wars

A poignant and darkly humorous play set in a veterans' hospital, where three Vietnam War soldiers grapple with the aftermath of their experiences. Their conversations reveal deep scars and the camaraderie that helps them survive. Written by James McLure.

4:30 pm - 6:00 pm | Shakespeare Unraveled

Three inventive reinterpretations of Shakespeare’s classics. Discover new dimensions and unexpected turns as familiar stories are given fresh life and perspective.

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm | The Maids

A gripping drama about two sisters, Claire and Solange, who serve as maids to a wealthy woman. In their employer's absence, they enact disturbing role-playing games, blurring reality and fantasy as they plot her murder. Written by Jean Genet, this intense play explores themes of power, identity, and rebellion.

8:30 pm - 10:00 pm | Gidion’s Knot

A tense and emotional drama that unfolds during a parent-teacher conference. As a grieving mother and a conflicted teacher confront each other, painful truths about a young boy’s life and death come to light, leading to an unforgettable climax. Written by Johnna Adams.

The poster shows two women dressed as maids, overlapping with theatrical makeup, against a dark background. The text promotes a theater production called "The Maids," part of the Circle Theater Festival, running from September 7th to November 2nd at

Poster for a theater festival called 'The Weird Sisters' featuring a person holding a glowing crystal ball with one hand, wearing rings and black nail polish, with event details including dates September 7th to November 2nd at The Flea Theater, New Y

Poster for a theater festival featuring the play 'Winter's Tale' at Circle Theater Festival, running from September 7th to November 2nd at The Flea Theater, 20 Thomas Street, New York, NY. The poster displays a sparkling silver crown on a black backg

A poster for the Verona Falls theater festival features an hourglass with red sand flowing from the top to the bottom. The festival runs from September 7th to November 2nd at The Flea Theater in New York City.

Close-up of a human torso, showing a nipple and a smooth skin texture, with promotional text overlaid for a theater festival play titled 'Final Placement' by Ara Watson, part of the Circle Theater Festival, running from September 7th to November 2nd

Poster for the play 'Essentially Painless' at Circle Theater Festival, running from September 7 to November 2 at The Flea Theater, 20 Thomas St, New York, NY 10007.

Promotional poster for a theater festival featuring the play 'Princess Hamlet' running from September 7th to November 2nd at The Flea Theater, New York. The poster shows a jeweled crown on a dark background with red lighting.

Poster for Circle Theater Festival's production called 'Double Take' by Allison Aube-Martin, running September 7 to November 2 at The Flea Theater in New York. The background shows blurred lights.

Poster for the play 'PVT. WARS' by James McLure, part of the Circle Theater Festival, showing a halved pomegranate with seeds spilled around on a dark background.

Poster for Circle Theater Festival featuring Sonyne Di Donna, Kirsten Russell, directed by Rich Pecci, with a background image of a knotted rope on a black background. Dates are September 7th to November 2nd at The Flea Theater in New York City.

PRESS

Circle Theater Festival is inviting you to see theater in a new light. Spanning six weekends from September through November 2024, Circle Festival is a bold reminder that great theater doesn't require elaborate sets or extravagant costumes; just a powerful story and the courage to tell it. Read more here.
Artistic adaptations and gripping dramas, dark comedies, and psychological thrillers showcase a versatile ensemble of theatrical talent, from emerging artists such as Scarlett Strasberg to seasoned professionals like lifetime members of The Actors Studio, Suzanne DiDonna and Kirsten Russell. Read more here.
RJ Theatre Company, in collaboration with The Actor Launchpad, have revealed the lineup for the much-anticipated 2024 Circle Theater Festival. Set to take place in New York City, this year's festival promises a dynamic blend of established stars and emerging talents, with productions that challenge the boundaries of traditional theater. Read more here.
Contemporary themes and uncensored voices, artistic adaptation and gripping dramas, dark comedies, and psychological thrillers invite you to experience the power of authentic storytelling. Read more here.
After opening weekend, Circle Theater Festival will be back at The Flea Theater in Tribeca for the second of six weekends. Catch one or more of their shows running from 10.30 am to 8.30 pm. Full article here.

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Cover of the New York Theatre Guide with black background and white text

Stylized text reading 'do N Y C' in white on a black background.

Three women in dark clothing holding candles in a dark room, their faces illuminated by the candlelight, with a mystical or ritualistic atmosphere.

Silhouettes of a man and woman facing each other, with the man speaking and gesturing with his hand, while holding a beer bottle, against a warm orange background.

A person with bright red hair, wearing a black leather jacket, pointing upwards with their right hand, against a plain gray background.

Three young men celebrating a birthday with party hats, drinks, and cake in a room with blue lighting.

A woman with long brown hair wearing a striped shirt, looking concerned or confused.

A young woman with brownish hair, wearing a black top and a dark blue sweater, appears to be deep in thought or concentration, seated against a plain, gray background.

A man and woman interact intimately on a pink-lit stage, with the man holding the woman's face gently, and the woman touching his chest. There is a sofa with floral fabric in the background.

A woman with curly brown hair, wearing a black shirt, holds her hands together in a prayer position while standing indoors with a plain beige wall in the background.

Two women and a young girl are shown in two separate groups, engaging in intimate conversations against a plain wall, illuminated by blue lighting.

A woman with dark hair appears to be crying, with her eyes closed and a pained expression on her face.

A woman in a white dress leaning over a bed, looking to the side with a smile, while a man with glasses in a plaid shirt sits at a table with a laptop and a drink, against a blue background.

A woman with curly brown hair holding her head with both hands, appearing distressed or overwhelmed, in front of a beige wall with a bulletin board holding documents.

A woman sitting at a desk in a dark room, talking on a landline phone. The desk holds a bottle, a can, papers, and a glass. There is a cardboard box nearby.

A woman in green scrubs with purple gloves sitting on an orange chair, speaking with her mouth slightly open, and a woman in a blue sweater and jeans sitting on an orange chair with her eyes closed and head tilted back, in a room with plain gray wall

Two women hugging tightly, one with curly hair wearing a red and gray striped shirt and the other with dark hair wearing a black top, sharing an emotional moment.

Silhouette of a woman with light-colored hair and a pink dress, with two blurred people in the background, all under dark pink lighting.

A young woman sitting on the floor in a dark room, illuminated by three lit candles on a candelabrum and a single candle on the floor. She gazes at the candles with a contemplative expression.

A young man and woman standing close, looking downward, with serious expressions. People sit in the background, watching them.

A man with dark, curly hair wearing a blue tracksuit, sitting on a wooden chair, looking down with hands clasped, against a dark background.

A man with dark, styled hair and a beard stands against a dark blue background, holding a bottle of Jack Daniel's whiskey in one hand and a lit cigarette in the other. He is dressed in a short-sleeved brown shirt and light-colored pants.

Three women performing on stage, one reading from a red book and the others gesturing.

A woman lying on the floor with her eyes closed, wearing a blue dress and black shoes, being attended to by another person.

Two young women are close, with foreheads touching and eyes closed. One has long, curly hair and the other has long, wavy hair. They seem to be sharing an intimate, emotional moment.

Three people in a gallery or art installation: a man in the foreground wearing a suit and glasses, a woman with long curly hair standing on a platform, and another woman sitting on the floor holding a piece of cloth.

Two women sitting on black chairs, one with blonde hair wearing a blue shirt and beige pants, the other with curly dark hair wearing black, in a dimly lit room with a plain wall background.

Two women in a dark room with candlelight. One woman with curly hair is smiling, and the other woman with straight hair is looking down, both illuminated by candle flames.

A woman and a man standing close facing each other, smiling warmly, with the woman gently touching the man's face.

A woman with dark wavy hair smiling at an indoor event, wearing a black off-the-shoulder top and layered necklaces, with other seated and standing people in the background.

A man with a beard lying on the floor beside a chair and a sofa, with a person standing nearby holding a bottle and a can of soda, in a room with wooden floors and a white brick wall, illuminated with purple lighting.

A young woman with dark brown hair wearing a purple off-the-shoulder dress with black lace-up corset detail looks concerned as she observes a young man with brown hair and red streaks, wearing a red shirt who appears to be talking or explaining somet

Two men are in a dimly lit room with a blue wall. One man is wearing a white shirt and holding a drink, while the other man is wearing a brown shirt and holding a cigarette.

A woman with long brown hair sitting, with her hands covering her face in distress, while another woman sitting beside her looks on with a serious expression.

A young man with glasses and a plaid shirt sitting next to a woman in a white blouse, both sitting on a bed under dim pink lighting.

A woman with curly dark hair, wearing a black top and a necklace, is looking to her left against a plain, neutral background.

A woman with dark curly hair wearing a blue and white patterned blouse, sitting at a desk with various papers, a landline phone, a glass of water, a bottle of water, a container of ice cream, and a glass of water on it, against a plain dark backgroun

A man with dark curly hair and beard leaning over and talking to a young man with straight brown hair, both wearing matching navy blue jackets, with the young man looking away.

Three women seated in a plain room, engaged in a conversation. The woman on the left is wearing green medical scrubs and holding a notepad, the woman in the middle is wearing a dark sweater and jeans with a serious expression, and the woman on the ri

A man and woman engaging in an intense conversation in a dimly lit setting, with the woman looking up at the man.

A woman with glasses sitting at a desk looking down at papers. The desk has a Starbucks coffee cup, a bottle of glue, and various papers and items.

Young woman with long wavy hair wearing a black blazer, with a hot dog hat on her head, looking slightly upwards with her mouth slightly open.

A woman with dark, curly hair and a black-and-white patterned sweater looks confused or surprised, facing a person with long, light-colored hair and glasses, with three people in the background in a blue-lit room.

A woman with curly reddish-brown hair speaking, with a serious expression. Two other people, a woman and a man, are in the background, listening attentively.

Two women in a dark room illuminated by candlelight, wearing black clothing and strappy tops, with one woman smiling and the other partially visible behind.

Two people are touching foreheads with their eyes closed, conveying a moment of intimacy and connection.

A scene from a play showing a man with short blond hair wearing a green shirt, holding a pen, with a woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a blue sweater, looking intently at him.

Two women face each other closely, smiling and about to kiss.

Two women seated facing each other wearing unconventional head coverings that look like oversized hot dogs and buns with checkered and plain fabric. The women are engaged in conversation on a small stage or platform, with an audience of young adults

A crowded indoor social event with people mingling around a bar counter. The background features black walls with texts and colorful hanging decorations.

Black background with white bold text that reads 'RJ Theatr Co.'

Black background with white text and circular design, promotional for an event called "The Actor Launchpad NYC."