Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Long.
Hi Tim , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started as an intern at Circle Theatre in the summer of 1999. We were doing a show by Leslie Jordan—Hysterical Blindness and Other Southern Tragedies That Have Plagued My Life Thus Far—and it just exploded. Sold out every night. It felt like lightning in a bottle, and I wanted to be part of it.
I came back the next summer, and by then I knew—this wasn’t just a summer job. After I graduated, I found a way to stay.
I’ve been at Circle ever since, in one role or another. I started as an intern, and now I’m the Executive Director.
Some days it feels like it all happened in ten minutes. Other days, I step back and think… how did that actually happen?
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? No—this is live theatre. There are no smooth roads. Honestly, I’m not even sure there are roads at all.
But that’s also what makes it great. I say all the time—the best and worst part of working in regional theatre is that everything changes every six weeks.
When you’ve got a show that really hits, you want it to run forever. And when it doesn’t… well, don’t worry. You’ve got another shot in six weeks.
That’s the rhythm of it. It’s unpredictable, exhausting, and somehow still incredibly rewarding.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I serve as the Executive Director of Circle Theatre, so my work really sits at the intersection of art and operations. On any given day, I’m working on everything from season planning and production oversight to budgeting, fundraising, and making sure the organization is running in a healthy, sustainable way.
I tend to specialize in building systems and structure around creative work—helping artists do their best work while making sure the theatre itself can actually support it. That balance is the job.
I think what I’m most known for is being deeply committed to the theatre itself—to the people, the process, and the long-term health of the organization. I’ve grown up here in a lot of ways, so there’s a real sense of ownership and responsibility in everything I do.
What I’m most proud of is that we’re still here—and still producing meaningful work. This is a tough business, especially at the regional level, and sustaining a theatre over time takes constant adjustment, resilience, and a willingness to evolve.
What sets me apart is probably that combination of longevity and perspective. I didn’t come into this role from the outside—I’ve been here at every level. I understand how the whole thing works because I’ve lived it. And I think that gives me a steady hand when things get complicated—which, in theatre, is most of the time.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
The best advice I’ve ever been given is simple and completely true: who you know will get you there, what you know will keep you there.
You have to network. There’s no way around it. Get out, meet people, have conversations—real ones. This business runs on relationships.
And it’s not just about getting the job. It’s about trust. When things get hard—and they will—who actually picks up the phone when you call? That’s what matters.
So my advice is: show up, be curious, stay in touch, and build real relationships over time. That’s what lasts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://circletheatre.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/circletheatre
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/circletheatrefw/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@circletheatre
