Oddfellows Playhouse seeks young actors for children’s theater

Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater in Middletown will be presenting a special guest performance by Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Children's Theater May 1, and young people ages 10 to 14 are invited to join the show as performers.

“The Myth of Persephone: The Greek Myth of How the Seasons Came to Be,” written by Leslie Elias and Vanessa Roe, will be presented in a dual language production, using both spoken English and American Sign Language, according to a news release. The performance will feature the Grumbling Gryphons Ensemble plus acclaimed deaf actor, entertainer and educator Robert DeMayo (“Universal Signs,” “No Ordinary Hero,” “See What I'm Saying,” and more) as a special guest artist in the roles of Hades and Zeus. DeMayo also created the original ASL glossing for the show, Oddfellows said.

The performance, which is family-friendly and open to the public, will take place at 4 p.m. May 1 in the theater at 128 Washington St. in Middletown. A limited number of young people ages 10 to 14 may become part of the performance by attending a workshop-rehearsal with the cast from noon to 3 p.m. May 1. Student performers will learn their parts as the Greek chorus in the show, integrating acting, American Sign Language, music and dance.

Grumbling Gryphons, winner of the 2003 Connecticut Governor's Arts Award, was founded in 1980 and celebrates 42 years of bringing quality performances and educational workshops to audiences throughout the world, according to its website.

Artistic Director Leslie Elias and company perform environmental and multicultural shows for children of all ages in schools, theater, libraries, museums and festivals throughout the United States and abroad, the organization said.

The troupe is “well-known for engaging children in a highly participatory drama experience, with live music, marvelous masks, and imaginative content.” Pre-performance workshops and residencies in drama, storytelling, music, movement, mask making and puppetry enhance every performance. Theater arts summer camps for children provide enriching arts experiences for children.

To register for the workshop, limited to 10 students, go to oddfellows.recdesk.com/Community/ Program or contact info@oddfellows.org.

Students will join the Grumbling Gryphons for a light dinner between the workshop and the performance. Tuition for the workshop is $30, and financial aid is available for those who need it.

Tickets for the 4 p.m. performance are $10 for adults, $5 for kids, or $25 for a family, and may be purchased at oddfellows.org or by calling 860-347-6143. Seating is limited and purchasing tickets in advance is strongly recommended.

For other details, see grumblinggryphons.org.