Middletown
Connecticut
Oddfellows Playhouse
Oddfellows' mission is to enhance young people's present and inspire their future through engaging, accessible performing arts programming that builds skills, encourages creativity, and strengthens community.
Oddfellows Playhouse was founded in 1975 as a community-based, multicultural theater program designed to include children from all backgrounds. Oddfellows remains Connecticut’s largest and most active year-round youth theater, an independent, not-for-profit organization that annually serves over 1,200 young people.
Oddfellows takes its name from one of its first homes, a building owned by the fraternal organization, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1994, after 19 years of rehearsing and performing in dozens of Middletown locations, Oddfellows, with extensive community support, acquired and renovated a 10,000 square foot historic building in downtown Middletown. The building contains a fully accessible, flexible 110-seat theater space with a professionally equipped light and sound booth, classroom and rehearsal spaces, technical shop, prop storage, lobby/gallery space, and administrative offices.
In 2003, Citizens Bank named Oddfellows Playhouse its Community Champion for youth services, and CPTV featured the Playhouse and its program on a special titled art.culture.life. In 2012 Oddfellows was awarded its very first National Endowment for the Arts award for the Our Town grant. The New England Theatre Conference recognized the Playhouse’s history of quality performing arts and youth education with an Award of Excellence in 1998. In 1999, the Playhouse received a Community Service Award from the Middlesex County NAACP in recognition of its years of commitment to young people, particularly those challenged by poverty.
The Playhouse has produced over 350 shows, including classics, contemporary and world premieres.
Recent News
Returning this year: Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater Announces Theater Summer Sessions!
Returning this year: Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater announces Theater Summer Sessions! Running from August 11th-15th (for ages 6 to 12) and August 18th-22nd (for ages 8 to 14,) each week promises a whirlwind of excitement from 9am to 3pm…
Read More »Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company Presents 'Everybody, by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins': May 15 - 24, 2025
Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company presents Everybody, by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Everybody is a fast-paced contemporary adaptation of the medieval morality play “Everyman”, in which an individual struggles facing…
Read More »Registration is Now Open for Robin Hood and the Sherwood Circus, a Spring Miniproduction at Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown
Registration is now open for Robin Hood and the Sherwood Circus, a spring Miniproduction at Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown. The program is open to young people ages 6 - 14. The Miniproduction is a fun version of the Robin Hood story which…
Read More »Middletown's Landmark Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater Celebrates 50 Years Supporting Kids' Wellbeing Through The Arts
Oddfellows Playhouse, Connecticut’s oldest youth theater, 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…
Read More »Auditions for 'Everybody' in Middletown March 3 and 6, 2025
Auditions are March 3 and 6 in Middletown for actors ages 14 - 20 looking for a fun and challenging acting experience this spring. Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company 2024 announces auditions for “Everybody", Branden…
Read More »Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company Presents Peter and the Starcatcher: November 14 - 24, 2024
Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company presents 'Peter and the Starcatcher' November 14 - 24, 2024. Peter and the Starcatcher is a Tony Award-winning comedic prequel to the cherished tale of Peter Pan, originally created by J.M. Barrie.…
Read More »36th Annual Children’s Circus of Middletown
Middletown, CT: Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater in Middletown will be presenting the 36th annual Children’s Circus of Middletown taking place August 2nd. The Children’s Circus performance is the culmination of a five week day camp…
Read More »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…
Read More »Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company Presents Shakespeare’s As You Like It: May 16 - 25, 2024
Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company presents Shakespeare’s As You Like It. All performances will be held at Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street, Middletown. As You Like It, written in 1599, is one of Shakespeare’s…
Read More »Acting Training for Teens in Middletown
Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company invites young people ages 14 - 20 to Winter Training, featuring two six-week acting classes designed to hone your skills - voice, body, emotion and imagination - in preparation for the Teen Rep Spring…
Read More »Auditions for 'Lord of the Flies' - December 18 and 19, 2023
Oddfellows Playhouse Junior Repertory Company announces AUDITIONS for “Lord of the Flies”, a new adaptation of the novel by William Golding. Auditions, which are open to anyone ages 12 - 14, will be held Monday, December 18 and Tuesday,…
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