The Poland Players are back in action! The Poland Players are a group of talented actors known for their performances and commitment to bringing the arts to our community. This year, we have the pleasure of doing two musicals, marking this as the second time in Poland Players history that this gets to happen.
I had the opportunity to speak to the main woman behind the scenes, Ms. Emily Gerak, about her journey from the beginning to the now from being a student to being the vocal coach and director.
Gerak has stated, “I got involved with the Poland Players late in my high school career. I had a bunch of friends that were in it and begged me to join my junior year, so I got pulled in as well as our phenomenal past director Candy Fonagy, and I started with my first show, Sleepy Hollow.
I also spoke to the previous director, Candy Fonagy. Her and I have spoke about how long she has worked in the community of actors.
Fonagy said, “I assisted the previous Director for 3 years and then took over as Director in Fall of 2001. I did 46 shows as Director over the next 23 years. What a wonderful experience it was!”
Gerak told us how she returned to the Poland Players from Mrs. Fonagy.
Gerak said, “When I was asked back as vocal director with that love for music combined, I got to learn to teach as I was learning to apply my skills before I ran out to the field as a licensed teacher. I couldn’t pass it up it was a great opportunity, and I’m so very glad I am still doing it!”
The Poland Players are an inspiring group to the younger generation of inspiring and possible future Poland Players.
Gerak always encourages students.
She said, “Audition for everything and try everything because you don’t know what kind of experience you will get and how much you might really like it.”
Anyone from freshman year to senior year can join and any younger dreamers are encouraged to join when their time comes!
Every person who works in the theater/acting industry have someone who inspired them. Gerak is a New York City girl with her love for Broadway.
For Gerak, notable influences include “Sutton Foster, she is as open as any character she plays. Julie Andrews kind of grew my love for music when I was younger. Christine Daae is one of my favorite characters from my favorite musical Phantom of the Opera.”
The arts like many have inspired Ms. Gerak to go from someone who’s hypnotized by the beauty of songs to someone who is now teaching students to find their voices.
Tuck Everlasting is full of adventures, plot twists, and many comical moments/laughs.
Gerak said, “This is so fun, our kids especially this year are so silly in the best way so this really brings those comical aspects; it has bright vibrant colors.”
Ms. Gerak highly recommends anyone who wants to joins us for one one of our three show nights here at Poland Seminary High School November 20, 21, and 22 at 7 pm!
