So Jennifer Summerfield, aka Trillian Stars, is a romantical actress who lives in a sweeping fireplace- and victrola- and staircase- and art-filled Philadelphia house with her equally romantical husband, photographer Kyle Cassidy, and some very famous cats. When not emoting on stages or swooning in front of fires or being laced up into shimmering corsets or wandering around Paris in mystical trances, she can sometimes be found gliding about in mermaid tanks, like that of mermaid photographer extraordinaire Annaliese Moyer. You might think that Jennifer comes from the sea itself, with her seafoam skin and radiant tresses, but she’s actually from Wyoming and comes from a long line of gun-toting pioneer women.
Here are some of Annaliese’s photo proofs of this theatrical, western variety mermaid:
Plus an official photo from Annaliese:
I know, it is almost too much to bear.
Recently I spoke with Jennifer about her mermaidly experiences:
What was it like becoming a mermaid and entering Annaliese’s mermaid tank?
It was a dream come true for me, but I also came to realize what a lonely existence it can be for mermaids—when you’re under the water, there’s only the distorted sounds of your own heart beating, and though you’re straining to see the people and objects around you, in the dark, all you have are the shadowy forms looming in the distance. So I have a greater empathy now for mermaids and their need to play mischief as a way to make contact with the outside world. I realized that in order to survive in that environment, you need to have a strong sense of self and you need to trust in your own charm, beauty and power. I also came to realize that mermaids need thicker skin to withstand the cold temperatures; even though I was in a heated luxury tank, I was shivering by the time I emerged.
Have you always liked mermaids?
Yes, when I took swimming lessons as a child, I would grab a piece of styrofoam between my knees and swoosh my legs back and forth, pretending I had a long glittering tail with fins. When I was about 7, there was a series of bath toys called “Sea Wees”—beautiful mermaids with matching merbabies; each pair came with their very own foam lily pad so they could float on the surface of the bath water and pose alluringly. Naturally, they also had combs; mermaids love to brush their hair! And of course, my favorite movie in the third grade was Splash. It just doesn’t get more romantic than that!
As an actress, how would you approach playing a mermaid?
Mermaids have a natural curiosity that people so often lose as they get older and more jaded, perhaps because there are always so many discoveries to make in the sea—it’s hard to grow complacent. So I would start by taking my nephews and niece to the Camden Aquarium to pet the sharks and key into that innocent notion of wonder and discovery. I think I’d also spend a day or two in Coney Island, looking at shiny things and watching the sun glint off the water. I would also take dance classes—perhaps belly dancing—because mermaids have such natural, seductive grace.
Do you have any advice for aspiring mermaids?
Never lose your sense of wonder and always ask yourself the question “what if…?” If you ever find yourself hesitating at the crossroad between Safety and Living out your dream, choose the dream. Mermaids don’t believe in regret.
I am a mermaid 
Love this interview!
I have to add as someone who’s had the pleasure of being in Annaliese’s tank with another mermaid that being a mermaid can also be a wonderfully communal experience. When you are alone it is completely (and for me) joyously alone. When you are close in the water with another person it is a very trusting, collaborative place. Pure, communal, intent, a quiet kind of joyful.
It helps that Annaliese creates a lovely, safe place to play in 🙂
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This is a great site. I am learning a lot. You are all so beautiful.