The Circus Returns This Weekend!

Oddfellows Playhouse Traveling Circus company will remount its new show Adscensio! on Friday January 20 and Saturday January 21 at 7:30pm.


Tickets are $15 for Adults and $8 for Students and Seniors.
You can purchase tickets online here, or call (860) 347-6143 for reservations

“Usually you expect to plan for inclement weather in the winter, you think that you’re biggest obstacle in scheduling a show on Halloween would be trick or treating” said Matthew Pugliese, Executive Director. Pugliese was referring to the Halloween snow storm that cancelled the Traveling Circus’ performance in October.

“The performers have been rehearsing since and really strengthening the show – they really are an amazingly talented and focused group of young circus performers”, commented Pugliese.

The newest circus from Oddfellows Traveling Circus Company is called Adscensio, taken from the Latin word for progress or ascent. The circus explores the advancement of the human race through time by celebrating the great discoveries of history – fire, the wheel, electricity, wireless communication – through the twinkling eyes of the circus. The nine performers, all between the ages of thirteen and seventeen, display their skills, training and vibrancy in a stunning collection of circus acts, including juggling, contortion, unicycling, roman ladders, acrobatics and physical comedy. The Traveling Circus is also available to tour and is currently accepting bookings. Inquiries can be directed to Matt Pugliese.

The Traveling Circus Company is comprised of students that have spent many years in the Children’s Circus of Middletown and CT School of Circus Arts, training under the direction of Dic Wheeler (ARTFARM) and Joel Melendez and Heidi Kirchoffer (Matica Arts). The company is comprised of Middletown residents Richard Carnegie III, Denzell Dempsey, Evan Knoll, Zachary Moeller-Marino, Nathan Linklater, Chris Wilkins , Durham Resident Rebecca Weir, Hartford resident Malaika King and Cromwell’s Jasmine Peck.

Students 12-20 interested in learning how to juggle, unicycle, stilt, balance, clown and perform acrobatics should be sure to catch the performance and register for the CT School of Circus Arts. Led by the creative circus artists of ARTFARM and Matica Arts, the program is the premiere youth circus program in the area. The winter/spring sessions focuses on training and skill development and concludes with the performance of an evening of original circus acts on May 25 & 26.

For more information, or to register for classes call, Oddfellows at (860) 347-6143 or log onto www.oddfellows.org.

Winter classes and programs staring soon!

Oddfellows Playhouse is pleased to announce its winter classes and programs. Oddfellows uses high quality arts programs, classes and performances to help young people ages 3 to 20 build self confidence and learn teamwork, cooperation, self-discipline and respect for others. It serves 1,500 students a year from 31 different communities throughout Connecticut.

Its First Act classes are designed to introduce pre-K and kindergarten children to the world of theater through creative play activities, art, movement and song. Students interested in acting for the first time will be able to build their skills in the introductory Complete Actor 1 (grades 1-3) or Complete Actor 2 (grades 4-5).

Oddfellows Playhouse also produces top-quality original theater. This winter the Teen Repertory Company will offer Thorton Wilder’s Our Town

Auditions for Our Town will be held January 24–25 from 6:30–9:30pm at the Playhouse

Before that, Oddfellows is offering pre-audition workshops on January 17–18 from 6:30–8:30pm

There is no charge to participate in the workshops or the auditions.

Happy Holidays from Oddfellows

Dear Friends,

As the year comes to an end, and we all look back on what has happened, we here at Oddfellows can’t help but be reminded about all of you.

This year, you’ve been parents to the students you allow us to help learn and grow; audience members to watch our students perform on stage; volunteers at our box office and building circus sets; advocates in the community; and most importantly, donors to support Oddfellows and its programs.

Your donations make it possible for the staff and artists here at Oddfellows to change the lives of 1,282 youngsters across Connecticut.

Your donations provide scholarships so no child can ever be turned away because of financial need.

As you finish up your holiday shopping, thinking about what to give those closest to you, please consider giving a gift to Oddfellows Playhouse. By donating to Oddfellows, you will be giving the gift of theater, self-confidence, and a brighter future to all the children who come here.

From everyone here at the Playhouse, we thank you for all that you make possible. Have a happy holiday and New Year!

Warmly,
The Staff, Artists and Board of Directors of Oddfellows Playhouse

Click the image to watch our new promo video!