Grand Rapids Community Summer Theatre (also known as Circle at the Rowe) was conceived in 1953 and held its first season in 1954. It was housed in the Rowe Hotel, and changed locations to the Pantlind Hotel (now the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel) and The John Ball Zoo Pavillion. The Pavilion in John Ball Park has remained Circle's home for 40 years, but with growing audiences and a need for more technically adequate facilities to produce the high quality entertainment patrons have grown to love, Circle Theatre sought a new home and ended its search in a partnership formed with Catholic Secondary Schools and Aquinas College with the opening of a new Performing Arts Center at the College in 2003. Circle Theatre operates from May-September with five main stage productions: three musicals and two plays. Circle Theatre offers other services to the community during the year, including Magic Circle (summer theatre for youth), Circle Presents (presenting series targeting school and family audiences), and a Summer Concert Series (live performances in an up-close and personal setting). The Performing Arts Center is located on a 107-acre wooded site at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI. It provides a steeped stadium-style seating arrangement for 410 audience members with a 3/4 thrust stage, and can be expanded to 500 seats for special events. The mission of Circle Theatre is to enrich, entertain and educate our community through exceptional theatrical arts in an intimate setting.
