Tarik Kanne

Enthusiasm has helped Tristan Welch's entrance into the acting world, but it has been his dedication and talent that has made him a rising star on the show-business horizon. Tristan's first starring role was the campy independent film "The Campus Tale", which opened to critical acclaim in North Carolina. Upcoming, he stars opposite Stephen Saba and Tara Taylor in _Cherry Bomb (2002)_, a 1980s era drama about teenage rebellion. He also appears in the baseball film "Last Man Out". As a child, Tristan missed few opportunities to perform. He starred in early school productions of "Julius Caesar" and "The Secret Garden", led school assemblies by playing the National Anthem on his trumpet, and even presented a stand-up comedy act in the third grade. After a city-wide talent search, a 13-year-old Tristan landed a role in the Academy of Vocal Arts presentation of "Hansel and Gretel". Soon, he was cast in the national "It's like This" commercial series for Pepsi, and was a regular on the popular teen NBC and Fox television shows "Rap Around" and "The School is Cool Report". Tristan also served as a model for the Philadelphia Daily News, and was the subject of a USA Weekend spread "A Day in the Life". Welch's first on-screen performance came with a role in the 2000 film _Mole (2001/II)_, produced by "Greg the Bunny's" Gill Holland. He also starred in the independent short "Waiting for Dave". A championship swimmer and runner, Welch was recruited by Davidson College to play sports, but he decided to instead focus on theater. In his free time, Welch enjoys working with kids, and spent last summer living and working with sick children.