School of Arts and Sciences
Department of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies

Magic Circle Theater

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

2025 Dates

Full Season and 5+1: 9:00am - 4:00pm, Monday, Jun 30 - Friday, August 8  
Session 1: Monday, June 30 - Friday, July 18   
Session 2: Monday, July 21 - Friday, August 8

Magic Circle Theater will not be in session on Friday, July 5.

Enrollment will be accepted on a first come, first served basis until the programs are full. A non-refundable deposit of $150 per session ($300 for full season) is required to secure your child's enrollment. The remaining tuition balance will be billed in March and must be paid before the beginning of the program.

Please note: Session 2 Technical Theater Track is now full and is no longer accepting registrations.

Register for Magic Circle Summer 2025

 

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.

Program Tracks

Students may choose between the Performance Track or the Technical Theatre Track for each session or the 5+1 option. 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 4:1.

In the Performance Track, students will spend approximately 4 hours each day in rehearsal or performance based skill-building workshops. New this year, we have dedicated performance skills teachers who will work with students who are not called for any given rehearsal. 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 all technical elements in our Magic Circle shows: costumes, sets, lights, sound, and more! Through mentorship from our team, students will 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.
 

Workshops

To ensure a well-rounded theatrical education, students participate in daily workshops, electives we offer for students to explore additional areas of interests. Students are able to choose from any workshop we offer. Previous workshops have included topics such as improv, outdoor games, CAMP (Creative Arts Mentorship Program), writing a pop song, arts marketing, and scenic painting.

Please email or call Tufts Children's Theater Director, John Stark, with any questions at john.stark@tufts.edu or (617) 627-3488.     
 

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.