Arthur Mendoza opened Actors Circle Theatre in 1991 in order to preserve the exact teachings of the late Stella Adler. Mr. Mendoza worked closely and meticulously with Ms. Adler to build a curriculum that would synthesize her most essential teachings into separate 11 week semesters. Ms. Adler then instructed Mr. Mendoza to build his theater in such a way that the Adler technique and love of the craft would be the constant center of the theater’s existence, letting word of mouth bring students whose thirst for knowledge would make this their home. ACT is the fruition of that work.
The name Actors Circle Theatre comes from the idea that this theatre is to be a family of actors who study and grow together, leaving to work and returning again and again to perfect their craft. ACT is a home for the actor as an artist,
a place to explore and make all the mistakes that come with that exploration in a safe, supportive, and challenging environment. As Ms. Adler would say, the instrument becomes like the flame on an open stove: Turned up for Theatre, and adjusted down for Film and TV, but always burning.
Over the years, ACT has drawn from its pool of talent and cultivated work ethic to produce over 50 plays of its own, running the gamut from the works of Chekhov and Tennessee Williams to modern playwrights like Alan Ball and Craig Lucas. Moreover, actors who find budding writing and directing instincts are encouraged to pursue those talents as well, with several student plays produced, and several productions directed by students.