Submitted by Dic Wheeler, Oddfellows Playhouse
(June 4, 2025) — Oddfellows Playhouse, Connecticut’s oldest youth theater organization, will celebrate its 50th birthday over the July 4th weekend at its Middletown theater. Generations of former students, parents, staff, teaching artists and volunteers will come together on a weekend of activities and events to celebrate the organization’s ongoing service to young people through high quality performing arts instruction in a fun, safe and affordable community setting.
Every year, 1600 children and young adults participate in Oddfellows programs, learning theater, circus skills and behind-the-scenes magic. Committed staff and teaching artists are professionals with proven expertise working with young people and producing the highest quality and most imaginative theater.
Started in 1975 by a small group of Wesleyan University students, Oddfellows is now a Middletown institution committed to providing high-quality theater by and for young people of all backgrounds. We know that the performing arts promote growth in social skills, self-discovery, and confidence, especially for underserved and at-risk youth. Oddfellows alumni have gone on to college and careers crediting their arts experience as a critical difference in achieving their success.
Alumni, family and friends will be arriving in Middletown to gather and renew old friendships over the 4th of July weekend. Saturday, July 5, 2025 will provide a full day of events at the Playhouse spilling out to the greater downtown area and including tours, games, show reenactments, performances, Improv, a group photo and more. The celebration will continue in the evening as members of the different Oddfellows eras assemble for a show and refreshments, followed by dancing.
