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1) an artistic dimension to provide high-quality theater by and for young people; 2) an educational dimension to promote
the growth of young people--in skills, knowledge, and self-confidence--through
the performing arts; and |
Founded in 1975 by a small group of Wesleyan University students as
a theater arts organization designed to include children from all backgrounds,
Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater now annually serves approximately
2,000 young people, ages 2-20, in a broad spectrum of theater arts activities.
The largest and most active year-round youth theater in Connecticut,
the Playhouse is an independent, not-for-profit organization with an
arts/social service mission. Oddfellows received an Award of Excellence
in 1998 from the New England Theater Conference in recognition of its
outstanding contributions to youth theater and education. In 1999, the
Middlesex County NAACP gave the Playhouse its Community Service Award
in recognition of its years of commitment to the young people of the
county, particularly those whose growth and development are challenged
by poverty.
Oddfellows Playhouse takes its name from one of its first homes, a building
owned by the fraternal organization, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
In 1994, after 19 years of rehearsing and performing in dozens of rented
and borrowed Middletown locations, Oddfellows, with extensive community
support, acquired and renovated the 10,000 sq. ft. historic building
that is now its home.
The Playhouse strives to promote the growth of young people--in skills,
knowledge, and self-confidence--through the performing arts. Its teaching
artists are committed professionals with proven expertise in working
with young people and producing the highest quality and most imaginative
theater. Teamwork and cooperation are stressed, while skills--both life
skills and specific theater skills such as acting, mime, clowning, movement,
and music--are nurtured and refined. A generous financial aid policy
offers scholarships to all children who need them. No child is ever
turned away for financial reasons.
Oddfellows’ core program consists of three 8-week terms
from September to May of tuition-based performing arts classes and mainstage
and mini-productions for ages 6-20. A Neighborhood Troupes program offers
free after-school weekly performing arts classes throughout the school
year for 175 at-risk youth from Middletown and Portland’s lowest income
areas. A 5-week summer Children’s Circus teaches circus skills to over
200 Middletown youngsters, leading to a spectacular outdoor public performance.
“Kids on the Block” is a disability awareness program for all 4th graders
in Middletown and surrounding schools.
Central to the Playhouse program is addressing racial,
ethnic, and cultural isolation. This is accomplished in two ways: 1)
by combining students from a diverse, small city—Middletown—with students
from suburban and rural towns throughout central Connecticut, and 2)
through curricula drawn from the literature and artistic traditions
of many cultures, with a special ongoing commitment to exploring non-Anglo
heritage. About 60% of Playhouse students are Caucasian and 40% are
African American, Latino, or Asian. While 64% of Playhouse students
are from Middletown, the remaining 36% are from 24 separate school districts
throughout central Connecticut. Approximately 10% of the youngsters
have special needs.
In addition to an artistic roster of 60-70 contracted professional
artists, the Playhouse employs full-time Artistic and Managing Directors,
Program Manager, Technical Director, and Development Director/PR Coordinator. A full-time Director
of Neighborhood Programs coordinates the Neighborhood Troupes program.
Wesleyan University work-study students do clerical work and volunteer
as teaching assistants.
