Magic Circle Theater

Ages 11-16│Must have completed 6th grade, but not 11th grade.

Registration for summer 2026 is now closed.

Summer 2026 Performances

Session 1, Into the Woods Jr. | Performances 7/15 @ 2pm, 7/16 @ 2pm and 7pm

5+1, The Lightning Thief, TYA | Performances 7/28 @2pm, 7/29 @2pm and 7pm

Session 2, Tinkerbell | Performances 8/4 @ 2pm, 8/5 @2pm, 8/6 @7pm

About Magic Circle Theater

Magic Circle Theater is New England’s oldest theater by and for children. Magic Circle Theater is for children currently in grades 6-10. The program runs daily from 9:00 am-4:00 pm for six weeks.

Magic Circle Theater emphasizes the importance of all members of the theatrical community and provides workshop time for students to deepen and expand their mastery. Students can choose from three week sessions or an extended 5+1 option that allows increased time for creative growth and development.

Please email Tufts Children's Theater Registrar, Holly Nickerson, with any questions at tct@tufts.edu.

Read an article about Magic Circle Theater.

Children's Theater actor playing Peter Pan

Magic Circle

We are excited to welcome returning and new families to our 75th year of Magic Circle!

Magic Circle is offered in sessions and tracks. Read below to learn more.

Sessions

3-Week Sessions

Across rehearsals, tech-build sessions, and workshops students are exposed to the fundamentals of making live theater. This year we are producing a musical in session one and a straight play in session two. Students are welcome to join for one or both sessions!

5+1 Session

The 5+1 option is designed for students who are ready to deepen their mastery. Thanks to the longer duration, 5+1 students have more time to explore acting choices and develop responsibility as technicians. The 5+1 show performs in week 5 of our program. During the sixth "+1 week", students transition from focusing on a single production into exploring the broader process of creating theatre, including planning for future Magic Circle seasons and developing student-driven performance opportunities.

Tracks

In each session, students may choose between our Performance Track or Technical Theatre Track.

Tracks provide a foundational experience for students, where they engage in focused skill and community building activities. Each track has dedicated staff support and we maintain a student to teacher ratio of approximately 6:1. All Magic Circle students participate in meaningful, full-program activities like Circle Time, Scavenger Hunts, Paper Airplane Contests, and Carnival, regardless of track.

In the Performance Track, students spend approximately 4 hours each day in rehearsal or performance based skill-building workshops. We have dedicated performance skills teachers who work with students who are not rehearsing in any given rehearsal block. Students in this track will be on stage for the final end-of-session performances. All students who enroll in this track are guaranteed a part in the production.

In the Technical Theatre Track, students will spend approximately 4 hours each day learning or applying technical theatre skills. Students in this track assist our professional staff on the construction and installation of the technical elements for our Magic Circle shows: costumes, sets, lights, sound, and more! Through mentorship from our team, students may assume a leadership role in one of these technical theatre disciplines. This is also the track where we find our student stage and house managers.

Electives

We offer electives that allow students of all tracks to explore additional interests. Previous electives have included improv, outdoor games, CAMP (Creative Arts Mentorship Program), writing a pop song, arts marketing, puppetry, and scenic painting.

Auditions

Auditions for our productions are held approximately one month before the start of the program.

Program Policies

Children should come to Magic Circle in comfortable clothes that they can get dirty. No sandals or open-toed shoes are permitted. If your student must bring a cell phone to Magic Circle, please be advised that students are strongly encouraged not to use their phones during the day, especially during workshops and other instructional times. If you need to reach your child during the day, please call the office at 617-627-3493.
For the children’s safety, guests are never allowed at Magic Circle. Parents are welcome to visit, but due to limitations of space, arrangements should be made in advance.
We will eat in the University Dining Hall every day, the cost of which is already included in the tuition fee (children should not bring any additional money for lunch). There is a wide range of choices available, and we have found that there are options that can accommodate everyone. If your child has any serious dietary restrictions, please let us know.