Performing Arts classes for kids in Middletown start March 21

Registration is now open for Spring Programs at Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater located at 128 Washington Street in Middletown! Beginning March 21st, weekly classes in theater, dance, circus, and visual arts will be offered for toddlers to 20 year olds.

Saturday Classes with Meg Berritta begin on March 21st and serve children from 15 months to eight years old. Classes include Acrobabies (ages 15 months - 3 years with caregiver; 9:15 - 9:55 am); Circrobatics (ages 3 - 6, 10 - 10:55 am), SUPER Faerie Tale Theater (ages 3 - 6, 11:00 - 11:55 am), and Circobalance (ages 5 - 8, 12:00 - 1:00 pm.)

After-School classes for ages 6 - 14 begin March 23rd and will run for eight weeks this spring, culminating in a “Share Week” May 18th - 21st. Most classes run 4:50 -5:50 pm.

Stage One classes for ages 6 - 8 include Garden PLAY on Mondays, Circus I on Tuesdays, A Pirate’s Life for Me! on Wednesdays and Character Creations! on Thursdays.

Stage Two classes for ages 9 - 11 include Krazy Krafts on Mondays, Circus II+ (ages 9 to 14) on Tuesdays, Brave Stories, Big Characters on Wednesdays, and Hip Hop Dance (ages 9 to 14) on Thursdays.

Stage Three classes for ages 12 - 14 include Stage and Screen on Mondays (4:30 - 6pm), Circus II+ (ages 9 to 14, 4:50 - 5:50pm) on Tuesdays, Stage Combat on Wednesdays (4:30 - 6pm), Hip Hop Dance on Thursdays (ages 9 to 14, 4:50 - 5:50 pm,) and Shakespeare Alive! On Thursdays (4:30-6pm)

We will also be holding a FRIDAY SPECIAL this session. Students ages 12 to 16 can join us on Fridays for Scenic and Prop Design from 4:30 to 6pm

Middletown Public School students may complement their class experience with Oddbridge, an extended day program which provides transport from Middletown schools to the Playhouse, a snack, and supervised arts activities, games and homework help before classes start. Oddbridge extends throughout the school year, providing special programs and field trips on early dismissal days or days when regular Oddfellows’ classes are not in session.

Our regular season will conclude with a special Oddbridge Mini Production, TBA. This is a 2 week theater adventure for kids ages 6 to 14, with transportation provided directly from Middletown Public Schools (drop off option available for home schoolers or students from other school districts). Rehearsals will run May 26th - June 4th , Monday through Friday, 4:30 - 6 pm (8 days), with performances Thursday, June 4th and Friday, June 5th at 7 pm. MORE DETAILS TO COME!

For more details on times, tuition and class descriptions, please go to www.oddfellows.org. If you have specific questions, email info@oddfellows.org or call (860) 347-6143. Financial Aid is available for all programs. It is Playhouse policy that the arts should be available to every young person regardless of ability to pay - no one is turned away for lack of funds.

Oddfellows Playhouse, founded in 1975, is Connecticut’s oldest and largest performing arts program for young people. Oddfellows programs are made possible with support from the Middletown Commission on the Arts; Connecticut Office of the Arts/DECD; City of Middletown; The Fund for Greater Hartford; American Savings Foundation; State of Connecticut Judicial Branch (Youth Violence Prevention); Middletown Youth Services Bureau; Community Foundation of Middlesex County; Liberty Bank Foundation; Middletown Health Department; Middlesex United Way; CHEFA Nonprofit Grant; and many generous individual donors.