Written by: Simranpreet Kaur, Staff Writer
Welcome back to school! As the second week of our first month comes to a rapid end we are excited to introduce Poly’s newest teacher: Mrs.Kasinski, who joins us as our musical theater director. Bright, colorful, and creative, she brings both passion and energy to our campus. This interview offers a closer look at who Mrs. Kasinski is, both inside and outside of Poly High School.
“Fun, responsible, and caring”. These are the three words that Mrs.Kasinski describes herself as. Not only is she a dedicated connoisseur of the arts and film, but she is equally committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for her students. She emphasizes that “theater is for everyone; everyone has a place here in this class.” One of her biggest goals this year is to spark creativity at Poly while cultivating an open space for students to explore their individuality. She hopes to “spark interest” in her students and provide the same support and love that inspired her when she was growing up.
Her passion for theater began in the third grade when her choir teacher often gave her solos and lines, affectionately calling her a “ham” and saying, “you’re a ham; here have a line.” That teacher also cast her in her first play at just nine years old, igniting a lifelong love for performance.
Ever since, Mrs Kasinski aspired to be an actress emphasizing that when she was in high school she wanted to be an “actress in film specifically.” This background makes her not only well-prepared for her current role but also deeply aware of the commitment it takes to be part of theater. She continues to emphasize that “theater is for everyone,” believing everyone should have the chance to experience their creativity at least once in their life. When asked about her favorite musical, she chose Anastasia, based on the 1990s movie, explaining that she appreciated how “more realistic the portrayal was for the musical than the movie. “
Although some might expect her to bring a new approach to Poly Theater, Mrs. Kasinski says her focus is not on being different. Instead, she shares, “my goal for my students is to love the theater and to continue on in theater – that’s it… I don’t know if that’s different from other high schools… but really truly we’re just instilling hopefully love for theater in theater.” Her honesty is refreshing. She does not promise never-before-seen methods, but rather sincerity, passion, and long-term inspiration. She hopes her students will discover their own individuality through the theater experience. As she explains, “theater is its own animal; it’s completely different from a lot of the other art classes. We do activities, games and projects” that all come together to create what we see on stage.
Musicals appear to be the performance that most of the students as well as Mrs.Kasinski are most excited to perform and conduct this year. She shares that she “loves musicals” and is “very happy” about the two musicals they plan on showcasing this year. During rehearsals and class time, she stresses that “we’re trying to create an empathetic environment where everybody will work with everybody else and become kind… that’s all we’re hoping for.” Her compassion and determination show that Poly’s theater students will be in great hands.
So, why Poly?
Mrs. Kasinski explains that “Poly has a very good history of theater and a very supportive administration.” She wanted to be a part of a school where she could provide students with as many opportunities as possible, adding that “I knew the kids, which was why I was very happy to be here.”
Mrs. Kasinski is a welcome new addition to our school and is ready to open doors to creativity, curiosity, and community. We look forward to the performances, inspiration, and kindness she will bring to the stage. Welcome to Bear Country, Mrs. Kasinski.