Submitted by Dic Wheeler.
Winter 2020 programs for teenagers at Oddfellows Playhouse this winter include Hip Hop Dance, Playwriting and Shakespearean Acting.
First out of the gate on January 6 is “The Compleate Shakespearean”, a six week intensive class in performing Shakespeare for ages 14 – 20. This winter training is being offered in preparation for a spring Teen Repertory Company production of “Romeo and Juliet”. The class meets Monday evenings, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, January 6 – February 10. Auditions for Romeo and Juliet will be March 2 & 5. The class will be co-taught by ARTFARM Artistic Director Marcella Trowbridge and Oddfellows Artistic Director Dic Wheeler, with Guest Artists.
“Writing Plays”, a seven week playwriting class taught by nationally-produced playwright Kristen Palmer, starts January 9. The class meets Thursdays, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, January 9 – February 22. The class culminates in a “New Plays Festival” on February 25 in which the students’ plays will be performed by Teen Repertory Company members under the direction of local professionals.
“Teen Hip Hop Dance”, led by local dancer and choreographer Felicia Goodwine, meets Thursdays, 5:45 – 7:00 pm, January 16 – March 5. The class is open to anyone ages 12 – 18; experience is not necessary.
Teens who prefer to be behind the scenes may join the “Technical Theater and Design” class which meets Wednesdays, 5:30 – 7:30 pm starting January 15. In this class kids ages 12 – 20 learn the ins and outs of stage carpentry, scenic design, stage lighting, costuming and other facets of theatrical design and technology.
In addition to these programs for teenagers, Oddfellows classes for ages 6 – 14 begin the week of January 13. Classes are offered every day after school and include theater, circus, hip hop dance, musical theater, music and visual arts.
On Saturdays, “Circrobatics” classes are offered for ages 18 months to eight years. These classes, taught by the Children’s Circus of Middletown’s Teeny Tiny Circus Troupe director Megan Berritta, combine circus, acrobatics, movement and games in a unique, age-appropriate combination. Classes start January 11.
For details on individual classes and programs, and to register, go to www.oddfellows.org, email info@oddfellows.org, or call (860) 347-6143. Space is limited, and timely registration is advised.
All classes meet at Oddfellows Playhouse, which is located at 128 Washington Street in Middletown. Tuition varies from program to program, from $25 to $150, and financial aid is available to any family that needs it.
Tuition partially covers Playhouse programs. Oddfellows Playhouse performing arts programs and financial aid are supported by the Connecticut Office of the Arts, the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch (Youth Violence Prevention), the Middletown Commission on the Arts, the City of Middletown Health Department, the Stare Fund, The Fund for Greater Hartford, the Neighborhood Assistance Act, Middlesex United Way, Community Foundation of Middlesex County, the George A. and Grace L. Long Foundation, Middletown Youth Services Bureau, Maximilian E. and Marion O. Hoffman Foundation, Thomas J. Atkins Memorial Trust Fund, Stop and Shop, Nihla and Bob Lapidus Foundation, Evan Knoll Memorial Fund, Price Chopper Golub Foundation, and many generous individual donors.
