Circle of the Witch (COTW) was a nonprofit theater organization formed on October 31, 1973 by four women who wished to explore the relationship between theater and feminism. A work group of the Twin Cities Women's Union, the theater functioned as both a political and a collective body. Politically it sought a socialist/feminist revolution. Collectively the members worked within a consensual decision-making framework, with all duties and responsibilities of the theater being rotated among the members, and all plays being developed through discussions and workshops. During COTW's existence, it created and produced five full length plays and several short skits. Its plays were intended to be reflections of the working people and were constantly being changed and revised.
COTW also conducted numerous feminist theater workshops. Between the workshops and spring and fall play tours, COTW performed throughout the entire Midwest area. Practicing its belief in bringing theater to the audience, it played in such diverse places as community centers, colleges, food cooperatives, a women's prison, a hockey rink, parks, women's centers, high schools, coffeehouses, and senior citizen centers. COTW also produced a multi-media packet of its play, Time is Passing . It contained a slide presentation, cassette tape, and script, and was marketed to libraries and schools.
During COTW's five-year existence it had twenty members, with an average membership of seven at any given time. In 1978 COTW's members felt the theater was on the brink of a major change, one that would be too big for the theater to sustain in its current form. COTW was therefore disbanded in the fall of 1978.
From the guide to the Circle of the Witch records., 1974-1980., (Minnesota Historical Society)
