Our Mission
Open Circle Theatre is a professional theatre company dedicated to advancing careers in the arts for people with disabilities through professional integrated performances, educational programming, and inclusive community events. OCT advances the idea that disability can enhance the artistic experience, inspire aesthetic innovation, and influence a community to become accessible for all. Through the arts, a community can be brought together to celebrate all abilities and embrace similarities rather than differences, while still elevating the unique contributions and culture made by people with disabilities.
Our Vision
Open Circle Theatre produces high-quality, inventive theatre productions that provide opportunities for professional theatre artists with and without disabilities. Consequently, a space is established in the DC metro theatre community that:
- Exposes the work of artists and arts administrators with disabilities in an integrated setting and celebrates the innovative artistic aesthetic that can be generated by embracing these theatre professionals
- Creates an environment that is accessible to all — from the most mainstream theatre goer to those with auditory, visual or intellectual disabilities — and strives to provide an equivalent experience for every member of a diverse audience
- Uses the performing arts to make education and learning inclusive for all students and all types of learners
- Mentors the development of professional artists with disabilities