Oddfellows Playhouse opens fall classes for toddlers to teens

Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater in Middletown is now accepting registrations for fall theater and circus classes for students ages 15 months to 20 years, with programs starting September 12. Teen auditions, after-school classes, and extended-day support for Middletown Public School students are also scheduled this fall.

Why it matters: - Oddfellows Playhouse is expanding access to theater and circus training for children, teens and toddlers in Middletown this fall. - Scholarships and financial aid are available for all programs, and the Playhouse says no young person is turned away for lack of funds. - Middletown Public School families can pair classes with Oddbridge, which adds transportation, a snack, supervised activities and homework help.

What happened: - Registration is open for fall programming at Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater, located at 128 Washington Street in Middletown. - Classes begin September 12 and run for students ages 15 months to 20 years. - Teenagers can audition for fall mainstage productions. - Teen Repertory Company auditions for Orestes 2.0 are set for September 8 and 9, from 6 to 9 p.m. - Teen Circus auditions are set for September 15 and 16, from 6 to 9 p.m.

The details: - Saturday classes for the youngest students include Acrobabies for ages 15 months to under 3 with a caregiver, Faerie Tale Theater for ages 3 to 6, Circrobatics for ages 3 to 6 and Circrobalance for ages 5 to 8. - Saturday classes start September 12 and continue through a Share Day on November 21. - Meg Berritta teaches all Saturday classes. - After-school classes for ages 6 to 14 begin September 14 and run for 10 weeks, ending with Share Week from November 16 to 19. - Most after-school classes meet from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. - Stage I classes include Contortion and Flexibility, Circus I, 3…2…1…BLAST OFF! and Intro to Shakespeare. - Stage II classes include Contortion and Flexibility, Circus II+, Musical Theater and Punches & Pratfalls. - Stage III classes include Movement for Actors, Circus II+, Musical Theater and Complete Actor. - Oddbridge runs Monday through Thursday from September 14 to November 19, then returns for a Special Mini Production Intensive from November 30 to December 18. - Oddbridge also provides special programs and activities on early dismissal days. - Orestes 2.0 is described as a contemporary reimagining of the ancient Greek tragedy, focused on family, revenge, justice and the fallout of violence. - Teen Repertory Company rehearsals run Mondays and Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. beginning September 14, with performances November 12 to 14 and November 20 to 21. - Teen Circus says no previous circus experience is required, and every auditioning student who commits to the rehearsal and production schedule will be cast. - The Teen Circus production will combine acrobatics, juggling, contortion, unicycling, object manipulation and other circus disciplines in an original ensemble show this winter. - More information is available at Oddfellows Playhouse.

Between the lines: - Oddfellows is using a broad age range, from toddlers to 20-year-olds, to keep students in the program over many stages of development. - The mix of classes, auditions and extended-day support suggests the Playhouse is positioning itself as both a training ground and a family support resource. - The no-one-turned-away policy signals that affordability remains a central part of the organization’s mission.

What's next: - Families can register now for fall classes and ask about tuition, schedules and class descriptions on the Playhouse website. - Students interested in Teen Repertory Company or Teen Circus must pre-register or audition on the listed dates. - Questions can be sent to info@oddfellows.org or by calling (860) 347-6143.

The bottom line: - Oddfellows Playhouse is launching a full fall slate of theater and circus programs, with classes, auditions and financial aid designed to keep youth participation broad and accessible.