We’re excited to announce our third annual Circle Theater Festival! A raw showcase of new work and fresh faces, is set to take place at AMT Theater in the Fall of 2026.

Founded by RJTheatre and The Actor Launchpad ״Circle Festival has quickly built a reputation for bold, intimate storytelling... (it) operates on a simple principle: a room, an audience, and the courage to make something real.”

- Savannah Jewel Fame Magazine

Our Mission

At Circle Festival, we believe professional theatre should be accessible—both to the artists who create it and the audiences who experience it. Our mission is to remove the financial barriers that often keep bold, original work off professional stages by offering a model that allows artists to produce raw, industry-level Off-Broadway work for a fraction of the traditional cost.

This is not a typical festival; it is a bridge between development and the professional world, providing real infrastructure, real audiences, and real opportunity. By streamlining production while maintaining professional standards, we make it possible for artists to invest in their work without taking on overwhelming financial risk. At the same time, we remain deeply committed to affordable ticket prices, because we believe theatre should be as accessible to the public as it is to the people making it. Our goal is simple: affordable to create, affordable to attend, and powerful enough to move the art form forward.

About Us

Founded in London in December 2020, RJ Theatre Company is dedicated to producing new work that is intimate, raw, and simple. The work is grounded in emotional truth and lived experience, focusing on the moments that shape who we are and who we become. Artists involved come from around the world, as does the material produced. Each project is built with a dedicated team of actors, writers, directors, designers, and producers, allowing for deep collaboration while continuing to grow a broader artistic community.

Founded in New York in 2021, The Actor Launchpad is a creative studio and production company committed to empowering actors through bold, emotionally grounded work. Its practice centers collaboration between actors, writers, and directors to create material that feels both personal and resonant. Each project is approached as an opportunity to go deeper, to connect, reveal, and grow.

Circle Theatre Festival grew out of this shared ethos. Influenced by European fringe traditions and Off-Broadway experimentation, Circle Theatre Festival centers elemental, hybrid theatre that prioritizes urgency, honesty, and risk over polish. Now entering its third year, 2026 will be hosted at AMT Theater in October and November.

Who is this for?

For emerging and established artists looking for exposure, stage time, and career momentum.

Writers looking to develop and publish their plays. Actors who want to invite managers, casting directors, and agents to see their performance. Directors seeking a platform to showcase their work. Any artist looking to create their own opportunities. Artists on an OPT / O1 visa, this platform was created with you in mind! Circle Festival is the place for anyone who needs to establish themselves in a limited time frame, and make real strides in furthering their career.

Where are we doing it?

AMT Theater | Off-Broadway | 99 Seats | West 46th street, Theater District, NYC

When are we doing it?

October 26th - November 15th 2026

Why are we doing it?

To provide a vital platform for artists, actors and writers to showcase their talent, build connections, and advance their careers.

Theater is part of New York’s heartbeat. It’s the fabric of the city. Naturally, we all want to be a part of it. Circle Festival was created to break down barriers between audience and performers, while fostering an intimate and inclusive environment that celebrates raw talent and authentic storytelling.

Focusing on acting, writing and the connection to the audience, Circle Festival is raw and intimate, stripping theater down to its bare bones. Without flashing lights and extravagant sets, we are left with nothing but the very core of theater and its humanity. Creating a special one of a kind theater going experience which we cannot wait to share with performers and audiences alike.

The packages we offer

Produced at Circle Festival
Circle Festival offers 16 fully produced performance slots for shows presented at an Off-Broadway theater in New York City. Artists may choose a 30- or 60-minute slot, priced at $4,800 and $7,800 respectively. 90-minute slots are extremely limited and rarely approved by the festival team, but may be discussed upon request. Each package includes stage time in Manhattan, six performance dates across a three-week festival run, a dedicated tech rehearsal slot, inclusion in printed and digital Playbills, festival poster placement, social media promotion, and a share of ticket revenue.

What’s Included
All shows produced at Circle Festival will receive professional performance photography and a full production video recording, insurance and logistical support, placement in Circle Festival press releases, professional PR–led marketing, and direct media outreach for press and industry invites, custom show poster design, a promotional teaser, and eligibility for Circle Festival Awards.

Produced by Circle Festival
Circle Festival also offers full producing support for a very limited number of projects - typically no more than two shows per festival. This option is best suited for productions planning New York premieres or LA/London transfers that need an experienced NYC-based team. With an additional, project-specific fee, Circle Festival can provide services such as casting, production management, rehearsal coordination, production design, and assembling a full creative and administrative team. Equity contracts are available where appropriate. All Produced by Circle Festival projects are tailored to the specific needs, scale, and goals of each production.

Fees

Please read “The packages we offer” section above.

• 60-minute slot - $7,800

• 30-minute slot - $4,800

• 90-minute slots are extremely limited and rarely approved by the festival team,

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Limited partial scholarships are available at the discretion of the Circle Festival team, and flexible payment plans can be arranged on a case-by-case basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply early for consideration.

Once we’ve reviewed your submission, our team will reach out to schedule a virtual meeting.

We’re accepting projects on a rolling basis - limited slots available, and they’re filling up fast. The earlier you apply, the better your chances of being admitted and maximizing what we can do for you in terms of media exposure, marketing, and momentum-building.

You do NOT need to have a final script or fully finished product to apply.
We know great work takes time. The sooner you get on board, the better we can support your process.

That said - not everyone will be selected. This is a curated festival, and we’re focused on quality over quantity. The lineup is intentionally kept small to ensure each artist and production gets the spotlight it deserves.

Early Admission Deadline – April 20th
Second Round Deadline – May 10th
Final Round Deadline – June 1st

With an acceptance rate of approximately 10%, we encourage artists to apply early.