| 12/16/2004 |
| Wheeler taking a break from Oddfellows |
| By AMY L. ZITKA , Middletown Press Staff |
MIDDLETOWN -- The familiar energetic, curly-haired facet of Oddfellows Playhouse for more than a quarter century -- Dic Wheeler -- will be leaving his post at the beginning of the year.
Wheeler, the youth theater’s artistic director for nearly 23 years, is taking an 18-month sabbatical from his position in the 128 Washington St. organization.
"It’s kind of emotional and a little sad leaving Oddfellows. In fact, I’m quite torn between meeting Oddfellows’ needs and my family needs," Wheeler said. "It’s something I need to do for myself and family. Kids are only kids once. It’s time to be there for my own." Wheeler started with Oddfellows in the fall of 1978 as a teaching assistant while he was a sophomore at Wesleyan University. In 1982, at the age of 22, he became artistic director. Wheeler recalls starting out working with a "funky bunch" of individuals in the old Oddfellows Hall near the intersection of Main and College streets. "We’ve certainly grown a lot and have become a more established institution," Wheeler said. "The mission has stayed the same, especially the commitment to make arts available to every kid in the community and not to become an exclusive children’s theater." When he started with Oddfellows, there was a core group of between 40 and 50 students, mainly children of Wesleyan faculty, Wheeler said. Now, there are approximately 2,000 children involved per year throughout central Connecticut and a core group of several hundred students. Wheeler recalls over the years with the Teen Repertory Company, "we’ve pushed the envelope quite a few times with what we got away with." One play that was somewhat controversial was "Hair," which Oddfellows performed in 1994 -- the first year the organization had moved onto Washington Street. "There was drugs, sexuality and language. We had it all," Wheeler said referring to the play. "We didn’t do nudity. We did the play as written. It was strong material, and we got some response, but less than I expected. "We often take on pretty challenging material and controversial (issues)," he said. "The audience almost expects it with the Teen Repertory Company." In 1986 a key turning point in the organization’s identity started with the Neighborhood Troupes in the now defunct, low-income housing complex of Long River Village. It started as a safe environment for children from low-income housing developments to get involved, learn and express themselves artistically, Wheeler said. It has expanded into "a safe gateway to the rest of Oddfellows," he said adding the troupes "bring a lot of kids into the mainstream of Oddfellows." The summer circus program started in 1988, and continues on an annual basis bringing in more children to learn circus skills. "It’s amazing. When it first started, I never imagined it would still be around almost 20 years later," Wheeler said. "The greatest thing about the circus is I was able to stop, and it continued without me. It speaks to the strength of the programs." Wheeler’s sabbatical will run from January through June 2006. "I have a rubber band attached to me that keeps bringing me back to Oddfellows," he said. "This is my artistic home. I plan on coming back." Wheeler will not completely be away from Oddfellows during that entire time. "I’m doing a little directing, teaching and freelancing," he said. Wheeler is directing the 30th anniversary reprise of Oddfellows’ first show -- "Middletown Fantasia." During some of his time while on sabbatical, Wheeler will be working on an "Art Farm" project in which he will be searching for an old farm to set up as a theater as well as determining the viability of the project. To contact Amy L. Zitka, call (860)347-3331 ext. 211 or email azitka@middletownpress.com.
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