The History of Circle Theatre
In a day and age when so much is taken for granted, it's difficult to imagine Grand Rapids without summer theatre. You’d have to look back to the early 1950's—but it's true. Summer theatre was merely a dream for most. But for three highly motivated people, it became a passion.
It was 1953 when Norma Brink, husband Ted, and Sydney Spayde, decided to put passion into action. They set their sights on a downtown location and the Rowe Hotel was first to open their doors to the “Grand Rapids Summer Theatre in the Round.” A truly historical time for Grand Rapids theatre. The group opened with The Philadelphia Story and continued, mixing fun filled comedies with well performed dramas in the successful productions of The Little Foxes, The Heiress, Harvey, The Moon is Blue, and The Glass Menagerie. Ticket prices, a true reflection of the time, cost $1.50 for adults and $.75 for students.
The Rowe was a perfect setting for the Theatre but a change in ownership meant a change in plans. The Theatre set it's sights on a new location and the generous offer from the Pantlind Hotel was gladly accepted. Opening the 1962 season in the Pantlind's Continental Ballroom, the smash hit, Send Me No Flowers, started a delightful round of theatre to include; Rhinoceros, Bye Bye Birdie, The Little Hut, and Dirty Work at the Crossroads.
As the changing needs of the Theatre put the group in search of yet another location the empty pavilion at John Ball Park became the new home and heartbeat of Community Circle Theatre. The move to the existing location proved to be a natural marriage as the 1964 season kicked off with the comedy, Auntie Mame.
Dramatic changes occurred in 1985 when the open pavilion became the focus of a $750,000 renovation. The makeover included the closure of outside walls and provided Circle with new opportunities. Targeting a longer, more sophisticated theatrical season, Circle enlisted Joe Dulin. As the Theatre's first full-time manager, Joe joined the Theatre in 1986 to oversee the increasing number of professional staff. The large professional staff now includes a full-time office manager, stage directors, choreographers, musical directors, designers, stage managers, box office personnel, and technicians.
Another major change for Circle came in 1995, when the theatre created a new program called Circle Presents. This presenting series for school and family audiences filled a void left when the former Council of Performing Arts for Children was discontinued due cuts in Federal and State funding. Circle Theatre took over the program and has increased the impact in number of performances, dollars raised and geographic area served.
The theatre’s most recent success comes from a belief in strong community partnerships. Circle Theatre began discussions in 1999 with Aquinas College, a small, private, Grand Rapids liberal arts college, to collaborate in building a new performing arts center. The two organizations, later joined by the Grand Rapids Catholic Secondary Schools, raised 6.2 million dollars in a capital campaign to build the new facility. Opened in July of 2003, the 418 seat thrust theatre is now home to all three organizations. Located on the Aquinas College campus, the theatre is managed by the Circle Theatre professional staff. The college’s physical plant maintains the facility and expenses are shared by the partners of this unique collaboration.
Circle Theatre continues to produce a season of main stage and Magic Circle productions during the summer months of May through September. The rest of the calendar year is focused on the academic theatre programs of Aquinas College and the Catholic high schools.
This small community theatre has grown to become a leader in the cultural life of West Michigan. It’s a wonderful story of a successful community arts organization.