Tri-State Actors Theater offers professional theater in nearby Sussex - ‘Every performance is the first occasion. It's for the audience.'

Sussex, N.J. — Emma Delia of Warwick is like many young women entering high school—she can definitely turn on the drama when she sees fit. But in Delia’s case, she is making good use of the talent by entertaining audiences at the Tri-State Actors Theater in Sussex, N.J. Delia is in her second year of the group’s youth intern company and the experience so far has been simply extraordinary. “It is an honor to be working with Paul and have him teach us all that he knows,” said Delia, 14. “This is really hard work but I look forward to it. It is so worth it.” “Paul” is Paul Meacham, the artistic director of the Tri-State Actors Theater, which makes its home at the historic Crescent Theater on Fountain Square in Sussex. Meacham has a broad background in theater that began when he was introduced to professional theater as a kid in Memphis, Tenn. “I saw some fine, fine actors and performances,” said Meacham, an actor. “That’s what swayed me to eventually create a regional professional actors theater.” Meacham is a firm believer that everyone should be exposed to professional theater no matter where they live. He and his family were living in Hoboken when they decided to move to a better school district. They had camped at High Point many times and liked it, so they chose to move to Sussex, N.J. He taught at Hardyston High School for one year and then decided, with the help of a grant from the Sussex County Arts Council, to start the company in 1988. It just took off It started as a kids group, then he added an adult play, then another. Soon, the company outgrew its performing home at the high school and moved to a small theater in Branchville. In 2002 a lease agreement was reached with the Borough of Sussex for the old Crescent Theater. “The borough realized the arts and theatre would be good for the town,” said Meacham. “They understood the value of art. Councilmen are famous for disagreeing on just about everything. In this case, they unanimously agreed. We have a 25-year lease on the building for $1 per year.” Of course the theater group maintains the property and, with the help of grants, has improved the three-story historic theater. This was the site where the first talking motion picture, “The Jazz Singer,” was viewed in 1929—and it was the first place in Sussex County to show it. 2003 was the first season the Tri-State Actors Theater performed in its new home. “Everyone was glad to see it brought back to life,” said Meacham. And while the building itself is special, what goes on inside the building is even more important. Meacham works with the young actors, teaching them how to act on stage and connect with the live audience. “There is nothing like a live performance,” Meacham said just hours after the interns’ opening performance of “Charlotte’s Web—the Musical” earlier this month. “Today they performed at a level that is highly professional. And that shouldn’t fall. Professional actors know that every performance is the first occasion. It’s for the audience. They have to keep the standard at a high level.” That is what he expects and that is what he gets, from both his interns and the group of professionals that perform throughout the year in the group’s four other plays. The summer internship program is not something you join; kids between the ages of 13 and 18 audition for Meacham to be part of this program. He chooses only about 20 each summer to be part of the ensemble. And the actors better be ready to work and learn. The program runs for six weeks, five days a week, five hours each day. “These kids are not cast just on talent, but commitment too,” said Meacham. “There has to be a commitment on the parents’ part as well. This is not a summer camp. They find out this is a lot of hard work.” ‘I love being on stage’ With lots of rewards. Delia, for one, says she couldn’t have performed her part this year in the Warwick Valley Middle School play, Cinderella, without Meacham’s guidance. “Paul teaches you that you have to think of yourself as that character,” said Delia. “It’s not you anymore—you become someone else. I couldn’t have done Portia (in Cinderella) without him. Our standard is set and we are always trying to make it better than the last performance. We go out there and have to give the same energy each time.” This year, Delia is playing Wilbur in “Charlotte’s Web.” Last year, she was Stuart Little in the play of the same name. (Delia is one of three young women from Warwick who are part of the intern program. She is joined by Ava Heatley and Allison Dethmers.). “All roles are really fun,” she said. “But Wilbur is pretty funny and over dramatic. When he’s happy, he’s really happy, and when he’s sad, he’s really sad. It’s challenging, and I like that.” What she likes best, though, is the reaction from the audience. “When you see the smiles, that’s priceless,” she said. “I like feeling like I made someone happy. I love being on stage. It’s the one place I really feel comfortable.” And her goal? It’s not what you might think. ”I don’t care about fame or fancy cars,” she said. “I just love doing this, making people smile and laugh.” If you go Performances of Charlotte’s Web-the Musical” are held Wednesday through Saturday, now through the Aug. 23, at 11 a.m. There also are Friday night performances at 7 and Saturday afternoon performances at 2 p.m. (except for August 23). Prices are $8 for kids 11 and under; $10 for everyone 12 and over. For more information about the Tri-State Actors Theatre, log on to the Web site at www.tristateactorstheatre.org, or call 973-875-2950 for tickets.