“Theater creates the opportunity for everyone to experience being in someone else’s shoes. It’s the great equalizer.”
Mariko Watt joined Poly in 2021 and is excited to be the Upper School drama teacher. Hailing from Oregon, Mariko started working in children’s theater, assistant teaching classes at age 15. After receiving her B.S. in Photojournalism from Boston University, Mariko graduated with a M.A. in Theater Education from Emerson College with an emphasis on community and children’s theater. A professional musician, Mariko can be found singing in multiple choirs throughout the city, as well as working in theater as a director and music director.
Most recently, Mariko spent time as a music director for Brooklyn Children’s Theatre, the Musical Theater Director at the Creative Arts Program at Berkeley Carroll, and a music and performing arts teacher at the International School of Brooklyn. Mariko’s goal as a teacher is to inspire confidence in her students through the art of performance and presentation.