Submitted by Doc Wheeler.
Registration is now open for Spring classes and performance opportunities at Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown. Spring 2021 at Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown holds an array of programs for students ages 3-20. Programs will run from April 10 – May 29th. Our socially distanced, covid-safe programs feature crafts, circus arts, improv, Greek theater, acting, poetry, juggling, acrofit, contortion, and an outdoor performance! Most classes will be held on the Front Lawn of Middletown’s City Hall. For details, and more information, go to www.oddfellows.org [1], call (860) 347-6143, or emailinfo@oddfellows.org.
CIRCUS SATURDAYS
The fun starts on Saturday April 10th with “Welcome to Circus” for ages 3-5 and “Circus 1” for ages 6-8. Both classes will be led by Maegan Fuller. “Welcome to Circus” offers participants the chance to have a blast tumbling and playing with scarves, ribbons, and other fun pieces of circus equipment for an exciting introduction to circus. These classes will run every Saturday from 10-10:45am. Tuition is $100. “Circus 1” gives participants the chance to have fun discovering their inner clown while learning how to manipulate different pieces of circus equipment including; flower sticks, diabolo, juggling, poi, and more! Classes run on Saturdays from 11am-12pm and Tuesdays from 4:30-5:30pm. Tuition is $120. AGES 6-8
Students ages 6-8 will have a ball with our selection of of classes such as “Cookie’s Crafts,” with Cookie Quinones,”Circus 1” with Maegan Fuller, “Tales from South America” with Nicki LaPorte, and “Creative Movement” with Sasha Biagiarelli In “Cookie’s Crafts” all students will have the chance to create animals, flowers, fun jewelry, and others. Classes will be held on Mondays from 4:30-5:30. Tuition is $120. “Circus 1” gives participants the chance to have fun discovering their inner clown while learning how to manipulate different pieces of circus equipment including; flower sticks, diabolo, juggling, poi, and more! Classes run on Tuesdays from 4:30-5:30pm and Saturdays from 11am-12pm. Tuition is $120.
During “Tales from South America” students will hear stories from South America and create theater pieces from those stories. They will use their bodies, voices, and imaginations to explore the various characters in the stories. This class runs on Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30pm. Tuition is $120.
Get moving and grooving through “Creative Movement”! This class features fun movement and dance routines that are entertaining, engaging, and exciting! Exercises are designed to encourage expression and creativity through movement, and to promote team-building and body/spatial awareness. This class runs on Thursdays from 4:30-5:30pm. Tuition is $120.
AGES 9-11:
For students ages 9-11 we have the following programs: “Intro to Acting” with Gianna DiMaiolo, “Circus 2” with Allison McDermott, “Yes, and…” with Diamond Wynn, and “Greek Theater” with Nicki LaPorte. “Intro to Acting” invites all young thespians to learn the basic concepts of acting through movement, song and theatre games. This class welcomes all sensationally serious and silly students— so let the games begin! This class runs on Thursdays from 4:30-5:30pm. Tuition is $120.
“Circus 2” Juggling, plate spinning, hula hooping and more! This class runs on Tuesdays from 4:30-5:30pm. Tuition is $120. Together we will discover the fundamentals of improvisational comedy, improve your storytelling skills, learn techniques to think quickly on your feet and to be more creative in “Yes, and..”. Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30pm. Tuition is $120.
“Greek Theater” Students will work with Greek stories (myths) to create a short ensemble driven piece of theater. Classes run on Thursdays from 4:30-5:30pm. Tuition is $120
AGES 11-20:
For students ages 11-20, our Spring offerings include: “The Rhythm in Repetition” with Laugh Sanchez, “Circophony Spring Training” with Allison McDermott, “Contortion 1 & 2” with Naja Muller. In “The Rhythm in Repetition” students will learn how to add rhythm out of repeating lines of their poetry. It’s not about how much, but how often. We will be attempting masterpieces from the bare minimum of literature. This class runs on Wednesdays from 4:30-5:45pm. Tuition is $120.
“Circophony Spring Training” gives participants a chance to learn Acrobalance and fitness and Juggling + more for the price of one. Classes are Tuesdays – Acrofit runs from 5:30-6:30 and Juggling runs from 6:30-7:30pm. Tuition is $120 for one class or two for the price of one.
“Contortion 1” will be held indoors at Oddfellows Playhouse. Spots are limited. Masks are required. Social distancing will be enforced. Take some time this spring to learn the limits of just how far your body and bend. Classes run on Fridays from 5-6:30pm. Tuition is $120.
“Contortion 2” This invitation only class allows experienced students time to hone their skills. This class runs on Fridays from 3-5pm. Tuition is $120.
TEEN REP:
Young people ages 13 – 20 who have successfully registered and auditioned in March are eligible for for the spring mainstage Teen Repertory Company production of Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992. Twilight: Los Angeles,1992,written by Anna Deavere Smith, is a multi-racial ensemble piece based on the Los Angeles riots following the Rodney King verdict in 1992. Rehearsals will begin March 29 and will be held on Mondays & Thursdays, 5 – 7 pm outdoors in Middletown. All rehearsals and performances will take place outdoors, with rehearsals held on Zoom in the case of bad weather. Performances of Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 will take place May 20 – 22 and 27 – 29. Anyone interested in auditioning, or wanting more information, should contact the Playhouse at info@oddfellows.org or call (860) 347-6143.
Spring classes will begin April 10 and run for seven weeks, culminating in a Spring Festival/Share Day outdoors on Saturday, May 29. Most classes will take place on the front lawn of City Hall in Middletown and COVID protocols will be practiced in all classes.
For more information, or to register for any of the above classes, auditions or events, go to www.oddfellows.org, email info@oddfellows.org, or call (860) 347-6143. Financial aid is available for all tuition-based programs; it is Playhouse policy never to turn anyone away because of inability to pay.
Oddfellows Playhouse
128 Washington Street, Middletown, CT 06457
860-347-6143
