1.) We’re happy to be speaking today with accomplished actress Adele Pomerenke who viewers can see to good effect in Star Trek: Picard; greetings and salutations, Adele! Before we dive down the proverbial rabbit hole, how has your 2022 been treating you?

Greetings to you as well, and thank you for having me! To be honest, 2022 has been an unexpectedly wonderful year so far. After the past two years of covid life, I am happy to finally have momentum in my career where I have put the work in.

2.) Major congratulations on your role as Ensign “Kemi” on one of the best television shows going, Star Trek: Picard! Are you still sort of pinching yourself that you’re playing a part in the nigh legendary Star Trek franchise?

Yes! Thank you. It has been a trip! I never thought I would be here in my career, let alone life. I am so grateful and honored to have been given this opportunity. It’s still hard to believe at times.

3.) Was Star Trek: Picard a project that you instantly knew you wanted to be a part of?

Picard specifically, no. As an actor, you are always open to new experiences and challenges while avoiding too much tunnel vision in one direction. Sci-Fi was always on the top of my list, but I try to stay open-minded and not get too fixated on one dream role. This ended up being a dream come true I didn’t know I had—a beautiful surprise as an actor and an amazing set to work on.

4.) For those who have awoken from a one hundred-year slumber and may not know anything about Star Trek: Picard or your character of Ensign Kemi, how would you describe the series and your character?

Oh man, where to start?! Star Trek is such a cool diverse, and extensive universe. By the time you tune in to Picard’s story, there is so much history. It’s about Starfleet’s exploration of the different corners in deep space and all the things you can learn out there, but primarily where Jean Luc Picard last left off. Best advice is to go watch it yourself. I can, however, tell you Kemi is a humanoid species called a Haliian and the pilot, or helmsman of the ship U.S.S Stargazer. She is an Ensign, which is the lowest ranking officer upon graduation from Starfleet. So she has a lot to learn, and her adventures are pretty new. It’s just the start of her journey’s through space but perhaps the last of Picards!

5.) How are you most like Kemi? How are you different?

I like this question. Kemi is young and trying to prove herself. Having a career in ballet and stage most of my life, film acting is still pretty new to me. So I can say we have that in common. Wanting to show what we are capable of and be trusted with the responsibility we are given, also Haliian are known for their telepathic empathetic abilities, I consider myself an empath as well. Different, she is very military, very serious, probably a by-the-books type of character. I personally can do that, but I consider myself much more an artist and prefer to be a little more sporadic than militant.

6.) You work with such a talented ensemble of actors in Star Trek: Picard including the likes of Patrick Stewart, Alison Pill, Jeri Ryan, Michele Hurd, and Evan Evagora to name but a few. What’s it like to show up for work every day and get to play with this talented lot of thespians?

An honor absolutely. Everyone is so hardworking, kind, and I felt very comfortable working with them. There is a reason they are so successful. They all have great personalities, work ethic, and energy that is contagious. You can’t help but try and learn something from each one.

7.) Speaking of talented, some of the best directors in the industry plie their considerable wares on Star Trek: Picard – Doug Aarniokoski is one of those talented directors. What’s your collaboration process like with Doug and some of the other directors on the show? Are they what some actors might refer to as “an actor’s director”?

I would agree 100% that they are actor’s directors. But not primarily, of course, making sure everyone on the other side of the cameras knew what was going on as well. When I worked with Doug, it was a lot of action sequences, so there was a lot going on all at once. Doug made an effort to make sure everyone knew what they needed to do and at exactly what moments. Especially to keep continuity and to keep things moving efficiently. I never felt afraid to ask a question, and the answer was always ready.

8.) Any chance you may be able to give fans of Star Trek: Picard a few very tiny spoilers as to what they can look forward to in future episodes?

The only thing I have to say is, keep watching. Time will tell. 😉

9.) What do you hope viewers walk away feeling after watching Star Trek: Picard?

Nostalgia! But also excitement for all the new things Star Trek has to offer.

10.) Along with being a talented actress, you’re also a noted Ballerina. How did you make the leap from that art form into the craft of acting, and is your time as a Ballerina an ongoing concern?

I have been a ballerina most of my life. I never thought I would become a film actress. The transition happened when I was dancing with Nashville Ballet in Tennessee. Of course, being in music city, I was offered roles in music videos, and it progressed from there. It is definitely an ongoing concern; I want to keep up with all the years of training and have hopes I can use them in film more often. But juggling two very intense art forms can be hard. Luckily I enjoy the challenge.

11.) You’ve also directed a few things yourself, notably in the world of dancing. Is this something that you hope to one day pursue in feature films?

It is! I am working on my Dance Mix: Track 3 now. Hoping to have that series continue, and hoping one day with other dancers and their stories. Larger scale directing is also something I may be interested in doing after much more experience in industry.

12.) Your first credited onscreen acting was in the TV series Nashville back in 2014. Any special memories of that freshman project?

That feels so long ago! Just the experience alone was special. It was a featured background role, I believe. I had just gotten my first acting agent and wanted to see what the whole set experience was like working from kind of the bottom of the totem pole, if you will, although I don’t think there is a single position on set that is less important than another. I met a lot of great people, and some of them are still good friends of mine today. It is a dear memory to me.

13.) What’s coming up for you acting-wise in between seasons of Star Trek: Picard?

Well, I think I will try to work on my Dance Mix: Track 3. I finished the storyboard for it and couldn’t be happier with it. During covid, a lot of projects got put on hold, so I am going to check in on those. Not to mention it’s pilot season! So it’s time to get some auditions out there!

14.) Final – SILLY! – Question: You’re throwing a dinner party, and you can invite any five people, living or deceased. Who do you invite and why?

That’s a tough one. But not silly at all! I really enjoy one-on-one, especially if it’s with someone I’ve always wanted to have dinner with. But a fun party, all my favorite dancers, and dancers to actors probably. George Balanchine, Audrey Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, Dick Van Dyke, and one still living Christopher Walken.

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