FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FROM: Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater, Middletown, CT

Contact: Dic Wheeler, Executive Artistic Director, 860.347.6143

MIDDLETOWN’S LANDMARK ODDFELLOWS PLAYHOUSE YOUTH THEATER CELEBRATES 50 YEARS SUPPORTING KIDS’ WELLBEING THROUGH THE ARTS

Oddfellows Playhouse, Connecticut’s oldest youth theater organization, will celebrate its 50th Birthday over the July 4th weekend at its Middletown, CT 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 kids 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 5th will provide a full day of events at the Playhouse spilling out to the greater downtown area and include 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. 

PHOTOS available at: Oddfellows Playhouse 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUBJECT: Children’s Circus band seeks adult and teen musicians

From: Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater

Contact: Joseph Getter, info@oddfellows.org, (860) 347-6143

Photo attached by Bill De Kine of Circus Band 2024

Oddfellows Circus Band needs musicians for summer shows

MIDDLETOWN — Oddfellows Playhouse seeks volunteer musicians for the Children’s Circus of Middletown. The Band is an integral part of the show, an outdoor circus performance for more than 1,000 spectators. The band seeks musicians on woodwind, brass and other instruments, with a good attitude, sense of humor, and desire to play together in a creative way.

The circus band is a combination of adult and student musicians. The director is Joseph Getter, a local musician, educator and parent with more than 25 years of experience as a member of this group.

Rehearsals will be held at Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street in Middletown, starting in July from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. There is a mandatory all-day Dress Rehearsal on Thursday, July 31 from 9am to 3pm. The circus performance will be on Friday, August 1 at 5 p.m., with a band call at 3 p.m.. The rain date is Saturday, August 2.

For more information or to sign up, contact Joseph Getter at the Playhouse by calling (860) 347-6143, or by email to info@oddfellows.org.