The Circus Theatricals Studio Ensemble 310-226-6144
Who We Are
Circus Theatricals Studio Ensemble is a unique combination of a membership theatre company and a professional acting studio.
For a list of our members, click here....
Our Season
Circus Theatricals produces a season of three main stage, two lab productions and a one act festival each year, all in co-production with the highly-regarded Odyssey Theatre.
Our members are working actors in theatre, film, and television. Our elite ensemble collaborates on the production of new and classic plays as well as participate in a weekly studio.
For one fee, actors belong to an award-winning theatre company, as well as participate in a weekly professional acting studio. Our studios are taught by highly trained, highly successful professional actors and directors.
Circus Theatricals is a place for a serious actor who wants to focus time and energy on the craft of acting, with an outlet to perform with other high level actors and directors.
Celebrating fifteen years of residence in Los Angeles, Circus Theatricals has enjoyed critical acclaim, awards and nominations from the Los Angeles Times, LA Drama Critics Circle, Back Stage West, LA Weekly, LA Stage Alliance Ovations, and Dramalogue.
Under the direction of Artistic Director and Juilliard graduate Jack Stehlin, the Studio is inspired by the teachings of Stanislavsky and continues to explore new possibilities in the artistry of acting.
Our goal is to cast our plays exclusively from our membership. All members of Circus Theatricals, regardless of which studio they attend, are considered for and have the opportunity to audition for all of our mainstage and second stage productions. If we cannot fulfill the casting within our ensemble for any reason, we will post a casting notice. Because we usually present about six productions a season, there are plenty of opportunities to perform.
Studios are led by successful working industry actors/directors/producers. Studios include:
Master Class with Artistic Director/actor Jack Stehlin (DEA Captain Roy Till on Showtime's "Weeds")
Film/TV workshop with Robert Cicchini (over 100 TV/film roles)
Advanced Scene Study & Performance Showcase with Elise Robertson (Emmy and Cine-Golden Eagle award winning director and actor).
Actors new to the business will appreciate the back to basics approach in Acting Technique and Scene Study with Jordan Lund (A Broadway veteran, with over 100 TV/Film roles).
Membership also includes special workshops, such as Shakespeare with film/stage actor Alfred Molina, TV auditioning with TV producer/writer Jack Kenny, and more.
We are not a club. We do not seek to merely add numbers to our roster. We support the challenge of continuous study and the seeking of a common language in a legitimate effort to create work that has true identity. We have carpenters build our sets, maintenance personnel clean our bathrooms, and stage managers tend our productions. Our atmosphere is highly professional. It is intensive, it is committed, it offers the opportunity for actors to challenge themselves.
How To Join
Participation is by audition/interview or in some cases, by invitation. We hold auditions several times a year. If you are interested in joining, email or call us at 310-226-6144.
There is a $175.00 monthly fee to participate in the Circus Theatricals Studio Ensemble. If accepted in the Studio Ensemble, we ask for first and last month's fees upon joining.
Short History
Circus Theatricals was founded in New York in 1983, and moved to Los Angeles in 1995. The company has produced over 60 plays in New York and Los Angeles. In LA, Circus Theatricals presents plays at the Wilshire address as well as the Odyssey Theatre in West Los Angeles. Studios are held at the Wilshire address. Click here to read more about our history.....
Mailing Address (please note this is not our theatre address)
Jeannine Stehlin
Circus Theatricals
PO Box 586
Culver City, CA 90232
Frequently Asked Questions
Other companies charge less for membership. Why are your dues higher?
Yes, our dues are higher than other companies. If you want to pay monthly dues to belong to a theatre club, (and then clean toilets, perform required committee duties), then we are not for you.
However, if you want to join a serious theatre company which also offers (under one roof) professional acting studios and have the opportunity to perform on stage, then you've come to the right place.
If you consider all the benefits of what we offer, then we are actually much more cost-effective.
How do I find out if I'm accepted into the Circus Theatricals Studio Ensemble?
We will notify you by telephone after your audition.
How do I know which Acting Studio is right for me? Let us know at your audition what your interests are, and we'll discuss with you where you might best "fit." Regardless of which studio you are a participant in, you are also invited to attend Jack Stehlin's Master Class each Saturday.
What is the difference between the Circus Theatricals Studio Ensemble and The Circus Theatricals Studio for Actors?
There is no difference. We expanded the company to fulfill the needs of more actors. Each Studio (Saturday, Monday, etc) focuses on the core Circus Theatricals way of working, which is a combination of Stanislavski and Stehlin. However, the studios also have their own unique aspects.
If I'm not in the Saturday Studio will I still be considered for Circus Theatricals plays? Yes. All members of Circus Theatricals, regardless of which studio they attend, are company members. All members are considered for our productions, and get the opportunity to audition for mainstage and second stage shows.
What is expected of a Circus Theatricals Studio member?
We encourage our ensemble to participate in Studio where we seek to create an atmosphere of collaboration, towards the development of a common working language. Circus Theatricals Studio Ensemble members participate in Studio Ensemble productions of new and classic plays, and in Circus Theatricals Mainstage productions when casting is appropriate.
How many theatre artists are involved with Circus Theatricals?
We have actively produced theatre for over 25 years, and we've been in Los Angeles for 12 years. During that time, we have worked with many many actors, directors, and writers. Many of our theatre artists are extremely busy professionals. At its core, there are about 50 active members at any given time, and about 25 more "artists-at-large," who have demonstrated their commitment to our company over time.
Do I have to be a Circus Theatricals Studio member to be considered for casting?
No. However, we do everything possible to cast members of the Circus Theatricals Studio Ensemble in every play that we produce. The Circus Theatricals Studio members usually make up the majority of the cast. We do cast non-members on rare occasions when it is not possible to cast a role within our membership.
I'm a member of AEA. Can I still be a member?
Of course. We produce our plays under the AEA 99-seat plan. For more information about the plan, visit the AEA website.
Where is Circus Theatricals located?
Our home base is at the highly regarded Odyssey Theatre in West Los Angeles. As needed, we also hold studios and produce plays in other venues in the Los Angeles area. Fall 2008, we took two plays Off-Broadway in New York.
Odyssey Theatre: 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd. W.L.A, CA 90025 (between Santa Monica and Olympic Blvd., just East of the 405 freeway)
Why are you called Circus Theatricals? Are you a Circus?
We get asked this question alot! No, we are not a circus, although we do find ourselves often juggling many projects at once! Seriously, when Jack Stehlin founded the company, he wanted to find a way to honor his family, which is made up of several generations of circus performers in Australia, the U.K., and here in the United States. Jack's Uncle Con Colleano was a famous wire walker. Jack's mother Kitty and her three siblings were a famous juggling act who performed center ring with the Ringling Brothers, and were often seen on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Is Circus Theatricals nonprofit?
Yes. Circus Theatricals is a nonprofit theatre company.
Technique and Scene Study