Circle Theatre’s executive director Tim Long is no longer with the downtown Fort Worth company after 27 years, according to a Monday announcement.
In an interview with the Fort Worth Report, Long said he was let go at the end of August after the theater’s board of directors decided they wanted to go in a different direction to address lingering financial struggles.
“I thought we were doing this together,” Long said. “This could have been a planned departure and trying to figure out bringing new people into the theater instead of just going in different directions immediately.”
In May, the downtown theater scrapped three planned shows from its 45th season and pivoted the lineup to address operational challenges and low attendance. Three months earlier, artistic director Ashley H. White stepped down after nearly three years in the role.
Board president Jeremy Dontray Davis disagreed with Long’s claim that he was let go but reiterated the theater is focused on entering “a new era.”
“We were just looking ahead for something a little brighter and more positive. There’s no bad blood,” Davis said. “He’s definitely a pillar in the theater community. I wish him nothing but the absolute best.”
Founded in 1981, Circle Theatre focuses on contemporary plays, musicals and offbeat comedies and holiday shows.
Long joined Circle as an intern in June 1999 — five years after the company moved to its current Sundance Square location. He held multiple roles until he was appointed executive director at the end of 2017.
Business operations manager Kris Black Jasper has stepped in as interim director, according to a Monday news release from the theater. There is no exact timeline for when the position will be permanently filled.
In her new role, Jasper wants to honor Circle’s legacy while growing community partnerships, according to the release. She brings more than 30 years of experience in arts administration and works as an actress, singer, director and stage manager.
“Circle Theatre has already been a part of my artistic journey and I’m honored to now be part of its leadership journey,” Jasper said in the release. “The power of theatre in bringing people together is something I believe in wholeheartedly so I’m looking forward to working alongside artists, staff, board, patrons and all our community partners to build upon and strengthen Circle Theatre’s foundation.”
Despite his sudden departure, Long said he was appreciative of the opportunity to carry on the legacy of co-founder Bill Newberry and his wife, Rose Pearson, who died in 2016. Circle’s spring production of “Rent” was the peak of his career, he said.
Long plans to remain in North Texas and focus on writing, photography and consulting.
“As much as I’m leaving under these circumstances, we just had so many wonderful people come through the doors,” Long said. “I feel very happy that I’m leaving it in a place that it’s still producing.”
David Moreno is the arts and culture reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org.
The Fort Worth Report’s arts and culture coverage is supported in part by the Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation and the Virginia Hobbs Charitable Trust. At the Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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