Tri-State student interns ready two plays for summer theater

Sussex-Tri-State Actors Theater sets sail this summer with two sea-faring tales n "The Little Mermaid" and "Skupper Duppers." Each play will be performed by TAT's Student Intern Company, July 14-Aug. 14 in the historic Crescent Theater, Main Street and Fountain Square in Sussex. Since 1988, TAT has auditioned area students between the ages of 14 and 18 for its Student Intern Acting Company. Interns receive voice, movement and acting technique training while gaining experience in the many areas of a play's production. TAT's 2004 Intern Company include: Matt McGarva, Kariele Sybesma, and Rachel Tarrats from Sussex/Wantage; Devan Cameron, Peter Maris, and Liana Openchenko from Hamburg; Lauren Caldera from Franklin; Kevin Snyder from Sparta; Samantha Reilly from Stockholm; and Eric Gilson from Matamoras, Pa. "The Little Mermaid" was adapted by William Glennon from the story by Hans Christian Andersen. The Little Mermaid is a strong-willed yet innocent creature headed for adventure on her first trip to the top of the sea. There she meets Ollie, the painfully shy but quietly funny Prince. Reluctantly in training to be King, Ollie is not exactly the Little Mermaid's idea of a storybook Prince. Their special friendship is at the core of this warm and charming play. "Skupper Duppers" by Flora B. Atkin, takes the audience aboard the schooner "Skupper-Dup" as its crew embarks on an expedition to gather tales of our country. Voyagers will travel to Arctic Alaska; and meet a legendary hero in Hawaii, Christina Cat in the Virgin Islands and Juan Bobo in a bi-lingual tale of Puerto Rico. Mainlanders and landlubbers get a taste of our cultural heritage as it comes alive through language and action, dance and mime, chants and music. "The Little Mermaid" and "Skupper Duppers" will play on a rotating schedule. The performance on July 14 is sold out. Performances in July are 11 a.m.Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; 7 p.m. Friday evenings and 2 p.m. Saturday afternoons. The August performances are at  11 a.m. on the first and second Fridays and Saturdays. To receive a complete performance schedule or to order tickets with Visa/MasterCard, call the box office at 973-875-2950. Tickets are $7 for ages 11 and under and $9 for ages 12 and over. Group rates are available to camps, schools and scouts for groups of 20 or more. More information about TAT's 2004 season is available on the web at tristateactorstheater.org.