Jennifer Gercak brings imagination and artistry to the world beneath the waves as Scenic Designer for The Little Mermaid. Her creative vision transforms the stage into a shimmering underwater realm, capturing the magic and movement of life under the sea.
Fast Facts and Favorites
Favorite tech‑week snack?
Pizza!
What’s one item you always have in your bag during rehearsals or tech week?
Snacks and coffee!!!
Describe this production in three words.
Bubbles, glitter, fins!
What excited you most about working on this year’s show?
Being back with my MGP family as we take this new adventure! I love stretching my creative muscles and helping our cast, crew, and audience travel to each new world.
What’s your theater origin story?
I was a ballet kid, then got involved with drama club in high school. I found MGP when they did Hans Christian Anderson and I was in 8th grade. We had a friend who had a friend in the show so we all came out to support. Then the next year I had a friend in the show. So when she asked me to join the following year for Kiss Me Kate I was in and l’ve been hooked ever since!
What’s your favorite backstage superstition or tradition?
Ohhh…..I love the old high school theater ghost. I haven’t really seen him much since the new theater was built, but I think you can feel the presence. The peaceful atmosphere of a stage, especially when it’s empty. It feels safe, and welcoming. I also 100% will not say the M show on stage!! Tradition? I guess it would be the little things. X,Y, Z, hiding Bob Ross in each production. The things that make this group a family.
What’s a memorable or funny moment from a past show you’ve worked on?
Ummm….i was type cast for a very long time, lol!!! I always played the floozy. It was a running joke. Even in shows that were 100% wholesome it seemed we always found a way (in Music Man I danced on a table in the library scene). Then when we did Titanic I played Mme. Aubart, Mr. Guggenheim’s French mistress. She was a real person who survived the Titanic sinking. The man playing our Guggenheim’s family was in the show as well. His wife and three children were all third class passengers, and when ever we’d see each other in the hallway she’d gather them up and say “oh! There’s your father’s mistress! We must go the other way!!!” In a funny voice. The kids would all giggle hysterically!
What’s a hidden talent you have that has nothing to do with theater?
I can sleep for 14 hours when given the chance!! I also am a storehouse of old movie trivia.
Dream show to work on?
Ohhh…..that’s tough. Anything fantasy I think. Recreating real things have an expectation of appearance and accuracy, but there’s a certain allowance of whimsy in creating a make-believe world
Favorite musical/play?
Rent - it came out when I was in high school and I love the music, the message of love and acceptance, and the heartbreak of it all.