They present a number of plays each year in their two auditoriums, and have a unique partnership and funding model with incoming shows underpinned with a cooperative principle.

The founding Circa Theatre group wanted to keep costs low and focus on quality scripts and performances.

[4][1] The founding members were Ray Henwood, Carolyn Henwood, Grant Tilly, Fay Tilly, George Webby, Susan Wilson, Ross Jolly, Anne Flannery, Ian McClymont, Marilyn Head, Michael Haigh, Stuart Devenie, Gwen Kaiser, Jean Betts and Tony Lane.

[4]In 1996 Circa Theatre published a book compiling a twenty-year history that summarises the plays and people involved from each years programme.

The Circa Council at that time were Neville Carson, Rhona Carson, Peter Hambleton, Ray Henwood, Carolyn Henwood, Ruth Jeffery, Ross Jolly, Katherine McRae, Ian Nicholls, Bruce Phillips, John Reid, Grant Tilly, Jane Waddell, Linda Wilson and Susan Wilson.

[4] The current home of Circa Theatre is next to Te Papa Tongarewa, The National Museum of New Zealand in a prominent location on Wellington's waterfront.

[4] The premiere presentation of Roger Hall's play Glide Time at Circa Theatre in 1976 became a huge hit, and transferred to the Opera House, Wellington.

The trust has attracted donations from sponsors and funders over the years, and allocates grants to the theatre companies who are in partnership with Circa to create and present shows.