WHO WE ARE
Creating Community Consciousness Through Film
Circle Cinema is Tulsa’s longest-standing nonprofit movie theater. Open every day of the year, we show movies and host programs that help people learn, connect, explore new ideas and cultures. Read about our commitment to inclusion, our mission, our film selection policy, and code of conduct.
OUR STORY
Circle Cinema first opened in 1928 as a silent movie theater. Over the years, it changed many times, showing all kinds of movies and going through many owners. For a while, the theater was even closed and the building sat empty.
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In 2002, Clark Wiens along with a group of supporters formed the Circle Cinema Foundation to bring the theater back to life. They bought the building and reopened it in 2004 as a nonprofit movie theater. Since then, Circle has grown and added more screens, a bigger lobby, and even brought back its original 1928 pipe organ.
July 15, 1928
THE CIRCLE IS BORN
The Circle Theatre opened with "Across the Atlantic" and quickly became a beloved neighborhood spot, drawing families and kids to see silent films, serials, and cartoons. Located on Lewis just south of Admiral, it originally sat along Route 66 through Tulsa until 1932.
1931
OUT WITH THE OLD
As "talkies" ended the silent film era, the need for live organ accompaniment faded. The Circle’s Robert Morton theatre pipe organ was eventually sold to the Tulsa Scottish Rite organization.
1964
REMODEL & REBRAND
The Circle closed for a week for its first major overhaul, adding a new screen, projectors, seating, and carpeting. It reopened with a new focus on “first-run, quality entertainment,” debuting "Dr. Strangelove" under the updated policy.
THE CIRCLE CINEMA TEAM
Executive Director
Brent Ortolani
brent@circlecinema.org
918-585-3456 (x110)​
