HEADIN' WEST! 27th Annual Children's Circus of Middletown to Perform July 31

The City of Middletown Commission on the Arts and Oddfellows Playhouse presents the 27th Children's Circus of Middletown: HEADIN' WEST! This original, one-time-only show will be performed at 5 pm, Friday, July 31, at Spencer School, 207 Westfield Street, Middletown, CT. In case of rain, the event will be at 5 pm, Saturday, August 1. Tickets are available on the day of show, cash only, $5 for adults and $3 for children and seniors.

The Children's Circus of Middletown is an exceptional community-wide program where entire families come together with professional circus artists and designers to create a one-of-a-kind spectacle. Director Jason Leinwand, now in his 4rd year as Circus Director and 16th year with the circus, says, "HEADIN' WEST will feature amazing displays of circus arts by our 145 talented youth performers as they engage in a grand adventure into the new frontier. Conestoga wagons blaze the trail to the West, road trippers brave the open highway while monuments and national landmarks come to life as circus skills thunder across the open plains."

The Children's Circus is a five-week program involving children ages 8-14. Many circus graduates continue with the program as counselors, artists, musicians and directors. Participants learn a variety of circus skills, such as acrobatics, juggling, unicycling, stilt walking, clowning, and visual arts, while they build confidence, friendships, creativity and teamwork. The campers' hard work culminates in the main event on July 31, which also features a live circus band of local musicians led by Eric Kuhn, costumes by Marion Imbruglio, and scenic and prop design by local artist Luke Reinhold.

The Children's Circus is part of the Middletown Commission on the Arts Kids Arts program. Stephan Allison, Coordinator of the City Arts Office, describes the long running project by saying, "The Children's Circus has been a mainstay of the City of Middletown Commission on the Arts programming for over a quarter century. It has proven its success through its sustainability over the years. The dedication graduates of the Circus have shown to Oddfellows Playhouse is evident in their return visits and continued support. Jason Leinwand, Circus director, is an early graduate of the Circus and carries on the tradition. The evolution of the Circus is a process and as such we will look forward to the Circus for years to come. One constant year after year is the joy the Circus brings to the participating children and the audiences who witness the finale. The Children's Circus gives new meaning to 'running away to the Circus' and it is embraced by the parents who send their children 'away'."

The 27th Children's Circus of Middletown HEADIN' WEST begins at 5pm, Friday, July 31, 207 Westfield Street, Middletown. Parking is limited to street locations, so carpooling is recommended. Handicapped and elderly parking is available at Spencer School - call 860-347-6143 to reserve a parking spot. Tickets are available at the door and are $5 for adults and $3 for children and seniors. Tickets are cash only.

The circus is made possible by the City of Middletown Commission on the Arts, the Middlesex United Way, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the Community Foundation of Middlesex Country, the Middletown Board of Education, and Oddfellows Playhouse's many generous supporters.

For more information, email info@oddfellows.org, call Oddfellows at (860) 347-6143 or visit oddfellows.org.

About Oddfellows Playhouse:

Founded in 1975, Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street, Middletown, is Connecticut's oldest & largest youth theater. Our star-free philosophy gives everyone room to grow. Our teachers are some of Connecticut's best professional artists. Our programs are fun, challenging, and educational. Oddfellows offers plays and theater classes, after-school and Saturday programs for ages 3 to 19. Oddfellows has a generous financial aid program and after-school bus transportation is available to the Playhouse for children from Middletown Public Schools. Contact us for details.

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