Oddfellows Announces New Fall Programming

Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater is now registering students for its fall theater classes. New this fall are Wednesday morning classes for pre-school students and a full slate of Saturday morning class offerings for all ages. Interested parents and children can visit Oddfellows Playhouse’s redesigned website, www.odddfellows.org.

For pre-school students, Oddfellows offers “Theater Toddlers,” a 10-week, hour long class. Wednesday mornings from 9:30-10:30am. In this class, caregivers participate in the creative journey with the child. “Little Fellows” is a 10-week, hour long class for 3-4 year olds. “Little Fellows” meet on Wednesday mornings from 11:00am to noon. Tuition for both classes is $200.

New this fall are Saturday morning complete actor classes serving students ages 5-11. Saturday classes serving all ages are held from 9:00-10:00am. “First Act” (Ages 5-6) and “The Complete Actor” (Ages 6-8) classes present a curriculum of age-appropriate basic acting, voice, and movement training. Complete Actor II (ages 9-11) helps young people develop vocal, physical, and emotional skills using theater games exercises, improvisation, and mime. Youngsters also learn how to work with a script —plus have a lot of fun. The eight class sessions are held Saturdays, September 18-November 6. Tuition is varies by age level, but Oddfellows’ generous financial aid policy offers assistance with tuition to all who qualify. Additional Complete Actor classes and Mini-Productions at each age level also run throughout the week.

Another programmatic expansion is at the Junior Repertory Company level. The New Fall Showcase will offer an additional performance opportunity for 12-14 year old actors. Spaces in The Junior Repertory Company Fall Showcase are open. Students will rehearse Tuesdays & Thursdays, for final performances on Nember 5 and 6. Monologue and scenework will build acting skills, and prepare students for a March mainstage production. Tuition is $150.

Oddfellows Playhouse is located at 128 Washington Street, Middletown. More than just a performing arts program, Oddfellows aims to make a positive difference in the lives of young people by using the arts as tools to build self-confidence, communication skills, a sense of responsibility, and an appreciation for the richness and diversity of the world in which we live. For more information or to reserve a spot in a fall class, call (860) 347-6143 or go to www.oddfellows.org.

Oddfellows programming is made possible through the generous support of the CT Department of Education, the CT Commission on Culture & Tourism, The Stare Fund, the Middletown Commission on the Arts, Pratt & Whitney-Middletown, the Irving Kohn Foundation and the Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Fund.