Airmid Theatre Company Opens 2011 FREE Summer Theatre Festival with JACK AND THE PRINCESS WHO NEVER LAUGHED A play for children and families by Kate Freiligrath-Kroeker July 5 to July 22, 2011 The Airmid Theatre Company Opens its 2011 FREE SUMMER THEATRE FESTIVAL with JACK AND THE PRINCESS WHO NEVER LAUGHED by Kate Freiligrath-Kroeker. The company returns to the Nissequogue River State Park (formerly the Kings Park Psychiatric Center) at 799 Saint Johnland Road in Kings Park for its third season. Running time is approximately 55 minutes with audience participation; for ages 5 and up. 14 Performances will be presented and can be seen Mondays - Fridays at 1:00 pm, opening Tuesday, July 5 - July 22, 2011. (New York State Parks Parking fees apply prior to 4 pm) The play is staged outdoors on the green to the right just beyond the NRSP gate house entrance. Parking is in the small gravel lot next to the performance area. The first production in Airmid's annual two play festival is once again geared specifically to children and families. In her first outing as director for Airmid ELLEN DISTASI, who played "Mrs. Rimplegar" in last summer's festival, brings to life JACK AND THE PRINCESS WHO NEVER LAUGHED by Kate Freiligrath-Kroeker. Lincoln Center Institute trained, Distasi provides a new energy to our team that now includes Hofstra graduate, set designer JENNA LYONS, Costumes by Emily DeAngelis and new music composed by Kathy Ulrich. The play and the festival are produced by Tricia McDermott. In the play based on a familiar Russian fairy tale, Freiligrath-Kroeker takes cues from more traditional versions of the story of Jack and his hilarious escapades as he leaves home to seek his fortune. While exploring some of the big questions in life, the production's interactive nature and the play's humorous view of the world, we encounter talking swans, sad princesses, and a host of locals all colliding in a hilarious story where we learn the world is not always as it seems. PERFORMANCE LOCATION and PARKING Jack and the Princess Who Never Laughed will be performed on the NORTH SIDE of the Nissequogue River State Park grounds. This year the shows will be performed just beyond the park entrance's gate house off St. Johnland Road in the shaded glen on the east side of the road across from York Hall. Parking is in the gravel lot at the right hand side of the road below the maintenance buildings. Audiences should provide their own seating and are encouraged to bring picnic lunches. Groups are welcome. Parking Fees will be required prior to 4pm. To inquire advanced parking permits for large vehicles please contact the New York State Parks Department Long Island Parks Regional Office at 631-669-1000 (625 Belmont Ave, West Babylon, NY11704) About THE AIRMID SUMMER THEATRE FESTIVAL 2010 marks the second year for Airmid's free Summer Theatre Festival, which includes both the family series play Jack and the Princess Who Never Laughed by Kate Freiligrath-Kroeker, directed by Ellen Distasi and A Little Betrayal Among Friends by Caridad Svich freely adapted and translated from Maria de Zayas y Sotomayor's La Traicion en la amistad, directed by Tricia McDermott. Audiences should provide their own seating, blankets on the grass, or chairs, and are encouraged to come to the park early to enjoy a picnic lunch or dinner in the park (not provided). Cancellation due to inclement weather will be announced 1 hour prior to performances. Call 631-704-2888 or check on Airmid's Upcoming Events page for details. Parking fees may be required based on time of arrival in the park. Airmid's Summer Theatre Festival has been funded in part by the Town of Smithtown, and Suffolk County under the auspices of the Office of Cultural Affairs, Steve Levy County Executive and administered by the Smithtown Arts Council. Funding support also provided by the Angela and Scott Jaggar Foundation for the Airmid family series, and Albrecht Viggiano Zureck & Company, Astoria Federal Saving Bank, JP Morgan Chase Bank, the Nissequogue River State Parks Foundation. About Airmid Theatre Company The Airmid Theatre Company, founded in 2000, is the only theatre in the world whose mission is to recover, collect, and produce classic works by women. With these plays at the heart of its mission, the company creates a safe home for women theatre artists, and ignites broad public recognition of the essential contribution women have made to the worlds of theatre, dramatic literature, and society. By establishing the history of playwriting by women and professionally producing their work, we open the door to broader discussion on women's roles today, and in the future. For more information about Airmid Theatre Company, please visit www.airmidtheatre.org. Airmid Summer Theatre Festival presents JACK AND THE PRINCESS WHO NEVER LAUGHED by Kate Freiligrath-Kroeker Directed by Ellen Distasi Set Design by Jenna Lyons Ages: 5- up; Running time 55 minutes. Opens Tuesday, July 5 through Friday, July 22, 2011 14 performances. Mondays - Fridays at 1 pm Free admission. (NYSParks Parking fees apply.) For Information Call: 631-704-2888 or info@airmidtheatre.org A LITTLE BETRAYAL AMONG FRIENDS by Caridad Svich freely adapted and translated from Maria de Zayas y Sotomayor's La Traicion en la amistad, Directed by Tricia McDermott Set Design Tymberley Whitesel Preview, Tuesday, July 26, 2011 Opens Wednesday, July 27 through August 14, 2011 16 performances. Wednesdays-Saturdays at 7:00pm, Sundays at 3:00pm Free admission. (NYSParks Parking fees may apply.) For Information Call: 631-704-2888 or info@airmidtheatre.org For additional information call Airmid Theatre at 631-704-2888 ### Airmid Theatre Company, West Islip, NY 11795 Phone: 631-704-2888; email: press@airmidtheatre.org, Go to www.airmidtheatre.org for full details on the Airmid Theatre Company.