Grades 9 and 10 actors take center stage on Friday, December 12, 7:00 PM and Saturday, December 13, 2:00 PM, in a fresh, fast-paced adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved classic Emma. At the heart of this spirited comedy is Emma Woodhouse: wealthy, clever, headstrong, and entirely convinced of her own matchmaking talents. Energetic and easily bored, she fills her days orchestrating the romantic lives of everyone around her, much to the amusement (and occasional exasperation) of her steadfast friend Mr. Knightley. But when her well-meant meddling spirals into chaos, confusion, and unexpected truths, Emma must turn her sharp eye inward and reckon with her own heart.

With bold humor, sly wit, and a dash of modern flair, this adaptation transforms Austen’s timeless tale into a screwball comedy for the 21st century. Yet beneath the laughs lies a story about connection: how we relate to, sometimes misread, and ultimately grow alongside one another. Emma reminds us of the importance of empathy and self-awareness, and of learning to see people as they truly are, not as we imagine them to be, a message that feels especially meaningful in today’s noisy, opinion-filled world.

According to the play’s director Keith McDonald, Emma has invited students to explore heightened language, precise comedic timing, spirited dancing, and emotional honesty all at once. Stepping into a world of costumes and confidence, propriety and impulsivity, he says, students have worked to find sincerity within the delightful chaos of farce. 

Explore the production and how it all came together in the play’s program.

Hear from the Cast 

Participating in the play has been “a really amazing experience,” shared Lucy Fleishhacker ’28, who emphasized how meaningful it has been to work with such a dedicated cast. “Everybody’s constantly trying to do their best, and it makes the experience worthwhile.” She is especially excited to see how audiences respond to the show’s comedy. “The play is so packed with jokes, and I’m looking forward to seeing which ones the audience reacts to the most.”

Fleishhacker, cast as Emma, noted that the fast pace of the script, meant to be delivered at “the speed of thought,” has been one of the biggest challenges. Balancing memorization, blocking, and ideal pacing has taken hard work, but the effort has only increased her anticipation. “I’m so excited for the performance, and I know we’re going to be putting our all into the show!”

Charlotte Reich ’29, who plays Jane Fairfax, says Emma has been “such an amazing experience.” She shared that learning and practicing the dances and getting to wear the “very cool costumes” has been a highlight of the process. Just as meaningful, she added, has been the community she found within the cast. “Everyone is so kind and funny. As someone new to Poly, the welcoming craziness in rehearsal was super nice.”

For Isaac Wise ’28, in the role of George Knightley, the rehearsal process has been “filled with so many fun moments.” He shared that experimenting with British accents, improving his waltzing skills, and stepping into a role that feels both familiar and slightly outside his comfort zone has made the experience especially memorable. Wise is “truly excited for opening night” and for the chance to give his all to scenes that required extra time and care, whether due to intricate blocking or nuanced tonal shifts.

“The cast has been so great to work with, and I feel even closer with every single person,” he added. “I’m ready for the Poly community to see what we’ve been working on, and I really hope they like it!”

Harper Levin ’29 who stars as Mrs. Elton and in the ensemble, says that the show has been “super fun to work on.” She shared that getting to meet new people through the play has made the experience especially rewarding. “It has been a really great experience, and I’m excited to share it with the Poly community!”

Families are asked to register to attend the Grades 9 and 10 Fall Play: Emma on Friday, December 12, 7:00 PM and Saturday, December 13, 2:00 PM in the Richard Perry Theatre.