Thank you for visiting. My name is Shari Polis, and I am a director/choreographer from NYC. This page showcases my career in kids theater.

Directing children's musicals has always been my dream, and I've been living my dream for pretty much my entire life. Growing up, I would make my friends perform elaborate dances to New Order songs in my basement. I took over choreographing my elementary school's talent show when I was 8. When our middle school didn't have a cheerleading squad, I formed one. As the Dance Captain of my high school and college musicals, I knew early on there was one thing I did well, and that I would do it forever.

When I got to NYC after graduating from the University of Michigan, I continued and expanded my dream. In 1999 I became a teaching artist with Tada! and City Lights youth theaters, in 2000 I formed the Performing Arts program at Hannah Senesh Day School, leading them through 15 large scale middle-school musicals, and in 2001 I founded the UpBring Dance Company, putting on 12 original shows with up to 75 kids age 2-15.

Common to all of these is the positive, excited, and super energetic atmosphere I create for the kids. I also run a tight ship, because energy + organization = a great show. I am known for making kids shine that would not usually flock to the front so the whole cast feels confident. Finally, costumes, sets, and music are always vital elements to my shows, and I always push the boundaries through my amazing collaborators.

I now reside in beautiful Boulder, CO. I teach dance and choreograph musicals at the Boulder JCC, at schools, private events, and from my home.

If you are a school or theater organization, and share my values, please contact me so that I can help you create your next hit show.

-Shari Polis