What Values and Communities Does Open Circle Theatre Support?

Open Circle Theatre is a Rockville, Maryland-based theater organization founded in 2003 by people with and without disabilities. Its stated values center on disability justice, anti-racism, and intersectional inclusion, and the communities it explicitly names as central to its work include disabled and d/Deaf people, BIPOC communities, women, and LGBTQIA+ people.

The Core Principle: Disability as Artistic Strength

Open Circle Theatre states that it creates "from the principle that disability can enhance the artistic experience, expand aesthetic innovation, and influence a community to become accessible for all." This framing matters: rather than treating accessibility as a compliance requirement or an accommodation added after the fact, the organization positions disability as a source of creative value.

The organization was formed in 2003 by a group of people with and without disabilities, and it describes its work as building a diverse community and celebrating the uniqueness of each person. It also states a broader mission of "promoting employment in the arts for people with disabilities and a more accessible community for all."

Communities Open Circle Theatre Explicitly Supports

The organization's statement says it "will strengthen our organization with members who bring lived experience of being D/disabled, D/deaf, BIPOC, Women, and those who are LGBTQIAplus."

Anti-Racism and Disability Justice Commitments

Open Circle Theatre's artistic director, advisory company, and artists issued a statement that does two things:

1. Acknowledges organizational privilege. The statement says Open Circle "acknowledges it has benefited from the historically centered focus of the disability rights community, the theater community, and the imbalance of influence accompanying that privilege."
2. Reaffirms anti-racist practice. It states a commitment to "Anti-racist practices and policies" and expresses support for the Black Lives Matter Movement, with the phrase "We stand, sit or crawl with Black Lives Matter."

The statement also describes Open Circle as "committed to Disability justice and to a vibrant, radically-inclusive inter-sectional space."

The Hive: A Community for Disabled and d/Deaf Artists

The Hive is Open Circle Theatre's community for disabled and d/Deaf artists. According to the organization, its purposes are to:

• Support each other's careers
• Grow a network of artists who identify as disabled and/or d/Deaf
• Provide a safe space to share experiences and aspirations

If you are a disabled or d/Deaf artist looking for peer support and networking, The Hive is the specific entry point the organization offers.

Land Acknowledgement

Open Circle Theatre acknowledges that its theater and theater spaces stand on "occupied, unceded territory: the ancestral homeland of the NACOTCHTANK, whose descendants belong to the Piscataway peoples." This acknowledgement is part of how the organization frames its commitment to justice beyond disability alone.

How to Get Involved

• Join the email list: The site provides a subscribe link for its email list.
• Volunteer: Open Circle Theatre states it "relies heavily on volunteers" and invites people to share time and talents.
• Donate: A donation option is listed on the site.
• Contact the office: Open Circle Theatre, 500 King Farm Blvd., #102, Rockville, MD 20850; Voice: 240/683-8934; Email: [email protected].

The organization also notes a current play in development, VitaNova, and directs visitors to learn more about it.