Biography

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Joann Polanco is a Puerto Rican actress, dancer, communicator, theater, film and television producer. She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and grew up in Caguas, 

P.R. She began formal dancing studies at the age of 7 with the "Cagueña" dancer and great artist Nydia Rivera. There she learned the disciplines of ballet, Jazz, acrobatics and something that she is very passionate about; Spanish Dance. 

Nydia Rivera got Polanco at the age of 10 to perform as 'extra' in Soap Operas such as “María Eugenia” (Telemundo, Puerto Rico) and “Vivir para tí” (Channel 4, Puerto Rico).

At age 11, Joann was a solo dancer. Her first play was at age 15 with Retablos de la Aldea with the character of "Vití la loca" at the Arcelay theater in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Alternated her acting work with the Borinquen Folkloric Ballet, on whichs she was also part as dancer.

Her career stood out strongly when she won the artistic skills contest Miss Television of Puerto Rico 1990.

In 1991, she studied acting in "Variedades Artísticas", San Juan, Puerto Rico; and was part of the ballroom dance company "Dance Inn Studio"in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, competing in the international ballroom dance competitions "Victor Dru International" in Las Vegas Nevada and winning gold medals in Mambo and Cha-cha. In that same year, she was recognized as "Young distinguished from Caguas, Puerto Rico" for her achievements in and outside of Puerto Rico. 

In 1992, she entered to study at. Conservatorio de Ballet Concierto of Puerto Rico directed by Lolita San Miguel. 

By 1993, she ventured into soap operas such as "Tres Destinos" and "Señora Tentación" (co-productions between PR and Telemundo, Miami).

In 1994, she joined the character of "Karina" as part of the main cast of the "sitcom" Mi Familia from Telemundo, Puerto Rico (working the prime comedy for 8 uninterrupted years).

She alternated her acting work with her work as a modeling teacher at the prestigious academy of modeling "Fontecha de Caguas".

In 1995, she completed her Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Public Communication of the University of Puerto Rico (Río Piedras Campus) as well  a "minor" in theater of said institution. Subsequently, she was appointed director of the "Fontecha de Caguas Modeling Academy".

In 2000, she opened her first arts academy called "Escuela de Artes Joann Polanco" in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

 In 2002, her daughter Sabel Marí Colón Polanco was born, the result of her marriage to the producer of sports and television Edwin L. Colón, with whom she was married from 1998 to 2008.

Her participation in films includes Ilusión (2001), De la mano de un ángel (2002), Encuentros (2003), La caja de problemas (2004). Among more than 45 local and national commercials made.

In 2005, she stands out as a writer and producer of her first film "Pasaporte a la Fama" (Passport to Fame) (who also participated as the main actress).      In 2006 she worked in the telenovela "Dueña y Señora" (Puerto Rico).

In 2008, she joined the main cast of the Chilean Television Serie "Don Amor" with her character Amarilis (Canal  13, Chile). Also among other works are "Decisiones Puerto Rico" and the comedy "Noticreo" from Telemundo, Puerto Rico.

By 2010, she moved to Miami, when she was chosen to work in the pilot of the Serie "Hotel South Beach Caliente".

 In 2011, she began Bible studies at the Biblical Institute Alpha & Omega Church in Kendall, Miami; alternating with her works as "Guest Star" in soap operas: "Alguien te Mira" (2010) "Una Maid in Manhattan" (2011) "La casa de al lado" (2012) "Marido en Alquiler" (2013) "Santa Diabla", among other productions such as soap operas: "Rosario" and "Cosita Linda" de Venevisión (2014).

 In that same year she graduated from 3 years of biblical studies, from the Alpha & Omega Church, in kendall, Miami (Logos University).

In addition, in 2014, she joined the play "Ni la Muerte Nos Separa" with a leading role in El Yunque Theater Cafe, in Miami, FL. Achieving 18 full functions. In that same year Joann receives the rights to produce it and are presented at the Coribantes theater in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

She joins as part of the "staff" of the dance academy "Miami Dance Project" as a teacher of Ballet, Jazz, Tap and modern dance (2014-2015)

She returns to her native Puerto Rico (2015) working in the area of private education with the disciplines of acting, dancing and modeling. Work that alternated with her facet as a natural products entrepreneur and weight control (2016)

In 2019 (Until now), she opens an academy of acting, modeling and dance called “P.R. Performing Arts Project ”(PAP) and participates in the leading role in the play "Lo que pasó en el 1997…Las suegras 2” in "Centro de Bellas Artes" of Puerto Rico.

Marking her return to the stage in her native Puerto Rico. In January 2020, Polanco adds to her list of jobs, the filming of the film/comedy “Barrote Films” by director Julio Román López.

Joann with her character of "Alicia" shares scenes with the actor Robert Amaya, known for his performances in Christian films and others, such as "Altar Egos", "Mom's Night Out", "Courageous" and "Champion".       

In march 2022,  Joann received the "Career Achievement Award" in her town Caguas, Puerto Rico; In commemoration of the International Women's Day. 

Joann's last jobs:  

*  "Barrote Films" movie (in Latin-America and Puerto Rico theaters) 2022.  Role:  Alicia. 

* Serie "Gordita Chronicles" from HBO Max (Season 1) 2022.  Role: Inés.