Circle in the Square Theatre School

From the Circle Archives: legendary acting teacher Uta Hagen and actor Victor Garber shared the stage at Circle in 1986. The revival of George Bernard Shaw's classic comedy YOU NEVER CAN TELL also featured a star-studded cast including Amanda Plummer, Tracy Sallows, John David Cullum, Lise Hilboldt, Stefan Gierasch, Gordon Sterne, Philip Bosco, Eric Swanson, and Stephen McHattie.

Photos by Martha Swope

Faculty Highlight! Our Singing Technique and Advanced Dance teacher, Shan Y. Chuang, has created a dance piece. QUIET ACTS OF BECOMING will take place this Friday, June 19th at 7pm at the Museum of Chinese in America in celebration of Pride Month.

Also featured in the piece will be Ballet and Advanced Dance faculty member Hannah Jew!

Tickets available at (Circle alumni and student discounts available in-person with a student ID)

This dance work highlights the legacies of remarkable Chinese American women Margaret Chung and Esther Eng, reflecting on a time when homosexuality was not widely accepted. Despite social constraints, these women courageously pursued their identities, built meaningful careers, and found love on their own terms. Through their stories, we are invited to celebrate a quiet yet powerful resilience and the beauty of living truthfully.

Created & Choreographed by Shan Y. Chuang
Musician: Sobina Chi Kanter
Dancers: Hannah Jew, Maya Lam, Sevanah Portillo, Kiki (YuChin) Tseng

Happy Opening to Sean Crothers (‘25) who is playing Bickle/Ensemble in FOOTLOOSE at this summer 🪩 Running June 12-July 5 in North Carolina’s State Theatre. We’re so proud! Congratulations, Sean 🩷

In April, we had an exciting collaboration with 💜 Circle faculty and Maestra member Natalie Wilson organized a partnership with the MAESTRA’s First Takes program that featured Circle alumni as vocalists, where ten alumni performed new musical theater ensemble pieces with an orchestra of all women/non-binary musicians.

We had such a wonderful experience. Thank you to MAESTRA, to Natalie (for organizing and also being the vocal coach for this project), and to Circle alumni Maya Encila (‘21), Marina Yiannouris (‘22), Gwyneth Benitez-Graham (‘23), Chelsea Ho**er (‘23), Kammy Ibarra (‘24), Jamie Burgess (‘25), Sean Crothers (‘25), Ellie Falanga (‘25), Hannah Neville (‘25), and Nan Zhou who shared their talents with us!

Tonight, we send off our Class of 2026 into the world ♥️ Please join us in celebrating the end of their chapters as our new grads head into exciting new beginnings. Happy trails, Class of 2026! And welcome to the Circle alumni community.

A little glimpse into LITTLE WOMEN rehearsals ♥️ directed by our Artistic Director Jeanne Slater, and music directed by Joseph Baker. Three shows only, starting next week! Reserve your free ticket today with the link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqp0jFyx6HsnTAC1Q8Gfotf4DrW92-gOsYn0TWhON43jBlnA/viewform?usp=publish-editor

All shows at Theatre Row (410 42nd St)
June 3 (Wed) at 2pm
June 4 (Thurs) at 7pm
June 6 (Sat) at 7pm

”Based on Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel, this musical follows the adventures of the March sisters Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy. The sisters navigate love, loss, and personal growth as they come of age in Civil War America, and through their story we explore themes of ambition, family, and finding one’s place in the world.”

Currently in rehearsals for Shakespeare’s TWELFTH NIGHT 🌊 directed by the one and only Mark Nelson. Three shows only, starting next week! Reserve your free ticket today with the link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfs9GCPJiId316-8OfEnvjeEKMaKvz2fIwgGfR7B0HbUwPUgA/viewform

All shows at Theatre Row (410 42nd St)
June 2 (Tue) at 7pm
June 5 (Fri) at 2pm
June 6 (Sat) at 2pm

”Shakespeare’s romantic comedy combines love, confusion, mistaken identities, and joyful discovery. The play centers twins Viola and Sebastian who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola (disguised as a page named Cesario) falls in love with the Duke Orsino, who in turn is in love with Countess Olivia. Upon meeting Viola, Countess Olivia falls in love with her, thinking she is a man. A tangled web of love ensues...”

A peek into rehearsals for LOST GIRL by Kimberly Belflower, directed by our very own Katharine McLeod. Three shows only, starting next week! Reserve your free ticket today with the link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSetVklHMWupxMvOvdj_hsjBVoxXvzZTdTxJWcX2d3wqeQeWzQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor

All shows at Theatre Row (410 42nd St)
June 2 (Tue) at 2pm
June 3 (Wed) at 7pm
June 5 (Fri) at 7pm

”Long after returning from Neverland, Wendy decides that she must find Peter in order to reclaim her kiss and move on with her life. Along the way, she meets other girls who went to Neverland and learns she is not alone. A coming-of-age exploration of first love and lasting loss, Lost Girl continues the story of J.M. Barrie’s beloved character – the girl who had to grow up.“

Our ✨2026 Graduation Repertory Series✨ is next month! Join us for a week of exciting theatre featuring our wonderful students.

All shows at Theatre Row (410 42nd St).

🧚 LOST GIRL
by Kimberly Belflower
Directed by Katharine McLeod
June 2 (Tue) 2pm
June 3 (Wed) 7pm
June 5 (Fri) 7pm

RSVP here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSetVklHMWupxMvOvdj_hsjBVoxXvzZTdTxJWcX2d3wqeQeWzQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor