The Circle Repertory Company, originally named the Circle Theater Company, was founded on July 14, 1969, in a second floor loft at Broadway and 83rd Street by director Marshall W. Mason, playwright Lanford Wilson, director Rob Thirkield, and actress Tanya Berezin. The plan was to establish a pool of artists — actors, directors, playwrights and designers — who would work together in the creation of plays.

Marshall W. Mason was succeeded as Artistic Director (1969-1987) by co-founder Tanya Berezin (1987-1995). In 1995, Austin Pendleton succeeded her, with actress Lynn Thigpen as associate artistic director and Milan Stitt as executive director and Edward M. Hausle as artistic director of the Circle Rep Lab.

Originating in the Sixties, a time when many experimental theaters arose, this company outlasted many others. They closed their doors in 1996 after 27 years.