Singing Yard Sale Aids Mariners' Theater

Why go to any old yard sale when you can go to one that comes with its own entertainment, in the form of Toms River High School North students singing show tunes and other ditties.

A "Singing Yard Sale" will serve as a fundraiser for the Toms River North Nautical Star Theatre Company acting students, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday Sept. 22 at 127 Mapletree Road.

Students will be entertaining shoppers providing impromptu and scheduled performances. And, of course there will be garage sale items for purchase.

The event is a fundraiser for the students, as they save up for a June trip to a Nebraska acting festival, said Toms River North Nautical Star Theatre Company adviser Carolyn Little.

"This is a singing yard sale. So come out, buy some great items and be entertained by this group of highly motivated, energetic kids are trying to raise money to attend an international acting festival in Nebraska set for June 2013," Little said. "All the profits from this yard sale will go toward helping them get there."

This is a multi-family yard sale with items including: childrens bicycles, books, picture frames, an exercise machine, household items, lamps, toys, computer equipment, golfing assessories, antiques, and more. A refreshment stand will sell baked goods, soft drinks and more.

Little said each student hoping to attend the trip has about $1,200 in travel and registration costs. Ten students are planning to attend the Nebraska event.

"Our plan for the day is to split the profit, so they want to raise as much as possible. We will have tip buckets out too in case people do not want to buy anything, but want to tip instead," said the adviser.

They will be singing songs from now, but also many Broadway tunes from shows like Wicked, Aida, Back to the 80s, and Rent.

Little said the Nebraska theater event is an honor to attend.

"The festival is held every year at the University of Lincoln in Nebraska. Thespians from all over the country come to this event," she said. "This past year over 2,500 students attending the week-long event that is run by the International Thespian Society. Students attend workshops, compete in acting categories, and see all kinds of theatrical productions from across the country."