Oddfellows Playhouse Plans 35th Birthday Benefit

Save the date! Oddfellows Playhouse, Connecticut’s oldest and largest youth theater, will mark a major milestone in its history, its 35th birthday, with a gala celebration and fundraiser on Thursday, June 17 at St. Clement’s Castle in Portland. This benefit for Oddfellows will feature the presentation of Oddfellows’ 1st Distinguished Alumni Award, great food, live and silent auctions, and much more.

Working with Oddfellows’ Board of Directors and staff in organizing this fun-filled evening is a stellar Honorary Board of distinguished civic and business leaders: Larry McHugh, President of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce; Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro; Congressman John Larson; Mayor Sebastian Giuliano; CT Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz; Mark Masselli, President/CEO of the Community Health Center; Rich Barry, President of Citizens Bank CT; Chandler Howard, President/CEO of Liberty Bank; Michael Roth, President of Wesleyan University; Wilfredo Nieves, President of Middlesex Community College; and Dr. Arthur “Bud” McDowell, Director of Medicine, at Middlesex Hospital.

In 1975, three Wesleyan University students with a commitment to creating high-quality theater and helping kids founded Oddfellows. They believed that by exposing kids to the magic of theater in a supportive, noncompetitive, yet challenging, environment, youngsters would learn skills that would last a lifetime and get to know kids from many different backgrounds. Thirty-five years later, we have succeeded beyond all expectations. Tens of thousands of young people – from ages 2 to 20 – from throughout central Connecticut have participated in Oddfellows after-school and summer classes and productions. Not only do the kids have a joyful experience, but they also come away with enhanced life skills and a sense of empowerment as a result of having successfully navigated significant theatrical challenges.

To learn more about the 35th Birthday Gala, please visit www.oddfellows.org/35gala.