CHEERS TO THE THEATER MAKERS
Circle Theatre is excited to announce the launch of a new quarterly event, “An Evening With” beginning in 2025. This series is designed to honor the remarkable contributions of North Texas Theater Makers who have left an indelible mark on our vibrant theater community. From directors and actors to designers and beyond, these individuals have shaped the artistic landscape of our region, and we believe it’s time to celebrate their legacies.
Circle Theatre has announced acclaimed playwright Jonathan Norton as the inaugural honoree for An Evening With, a new quarterly program celebrating North Texas theater makers whose careers have left a lasting legacy on our community.
Jonathan’s extensive career includes his current position as Interim Artistic Director of Dallas Theater Center, where he also sits as playwright in residence. He is known for his honest and unapologetic approach to stories that are truthful, relatable, and powerful. His dedication to his home communities and the nurturing of local artists has led to a breadth of partnerships, productions, and lasting connections that enhance the community. His original plays highlight Dallas and North Texas stories and experiences for audiences far and wide, putting lesser recognized communities and community members on global stages. When it comes to honoring the North Texas Theater Community through the power of original stories, Jonathan has made more than his mark - he has expanded the reach of our community to across the nation, and beyond.
Norton’s work has been developed or produced by esteemed organizations such as the Dallas Theater Center, Actors Theatre of Louisville’s Humana Festival, Kitchen Dog Theater, TheatreSquared, and the National New Play Network, among many others. His play Mississippi Goddamn was a finalist for the Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award and earned him the 2016 M. Elizabeth Osborn Award from the American Theatre Critics Association. Currently, Norton serves as the Dallas Theater Center’s Interim Artistic Director.
In addition to numerous artistic grants and commissions, Norton currently serves as the Playwright-in-Residence at Dallas Theater Center and is a member of the Dorothy Strelsin New American Writers Group at Primary Stages in New York City. In 2021, he was honored with the Dallas Historical Society Award for Creative Excellence.
Circle Theatre’s An Evening With Jonathan Norton will take place on MARCH 17, 2025, featuring a cocktail hour followed by an intimate program highlighting his work and influence on the North Texas theater landscape. The evening will include guest speakers, excerpts from his plays, and a retrospective look at his artistic journey.
WHAT DOES "AN EVENING WITH" LOOK LIKE?
Each “Evening With” will be an intimate and inspiring event, offering guests a unique opportunity to connect with the honorees, learn about their work, and experience their artistic journey in a meaningful way. Through cocktails, conversation, live performances, and multimedia showcases, we aim to highlight the profound influence these artists have had on the world of theater and beyond. Each one will be different and celebrate the artist whose work you've seen in theaters across the metroplex!
NOMINATE A THEATER MAKER
2025 Nominations Closed | We want to hear from you. Circle Theatre is currently accepting nominations for recipients of An Evening With. Do you know a theater maker whose career has left a lasting impact on our community? Please fill out the form to nominate those who have inspired you!
A LITTLE MORE ABOUT IT...
MISSION: Unite and uplift the North Texas theater community by recognizing outstanding contributions from individuals who have left a lasting mark on our local arts scene.
FOCUS: The legacy these artists have created within the community and their impact on individual audience members, collaborators, and the broader theater world. Emphasize how their contributions have shaped both the theater community antd the personal journeys of attendees.