JERSEY CITY, New Jersey— March 8, 2019 — Waterfront Montessori (WFM) presents its ninth
annual musical, Mary Poppins, Jr., in two performances at 3:00 and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 14.
The musical, which is open to the public, is an annual event that is part of the WFM curriculum.
Over 100 students in Grades 1 through 8 come together for two weeks of intensive rehearsals that
culminate in a performance at the end of the period. This year, rehearsals begin on April 1 and end in
two performances on Sunday, April 14.
WFM Students Channel Their Passions and Creativity to Bring Mary Poppins, Jr. to Life

“We require every student in our Upper School to participate because theater teaches so many skills,”
noted Cristina Weisman, WFM’s Director of Music, Theater and Community Outreach. “For
instance, participating in the Mary Poppins, Jr. musical will provide students the opportunity to
experience the history of the Suffragette movement, to calculate mathematical grids to ensure they
‘hit their mark’ and to utilize engineering to design the sets and props.”
Middle School student Sophia (Grade 6) will be playing the lead role of Mary Poppins for one of the
two performances. Sophia is looking forward to her second WFM musical, noting, “This is my first
time in a lead role; I like the character of Mary Poppins,” adding that the fun is finding the character
within herself—“you have to become the character!”
Ny’ere (Grade 8), a seasoned WFM musical lead, will be playing Bert in one of the performances. “I
love the two-week intensive—being back stage, helping with costumes and rehearsing.” He excitedly
exclaimed in the British accent he plans to use as Bert, “I just got back from orientation at High Tech
where I’ll be starting in the drama program there next year!”
Both students commented that they are looking forward to spending time with students from
different grades and being in a supportive, friendly environment where they can develop close
friendships as a result of this experience. Ny’ere, in particular, is looking forward to taking the
“younger kids under our wings” in much the same way he was taken under the wings of Middle
School students when he was in his first lead role five years ago in the musical Shrek, Jr.
Always focusing on the whole child, the purpose of WFM’s musical is much more than a theatrical
experience. This multi-pronged approach helps the students apply the academic skills they learn in
the classroom as well as the ever-important social and emotional skills such as cooperation, creativity,
taking risks and communicating with classmates of different ages and tapping into their passions and
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150 Warren Street, Suite 108, Jersey City, NJ 07302 201.333.5600|201.333.5009 fax www.waterfrontmontessori.com
self-confidence. As Weisman has been challenging each cast throughout the years, “You’ve got to
figure it out!”

Celebrating its 15th year, Waterfront Montessori opened its doors in 2004 as a parent-founded,
parent-run independent school for children from Toddler to Grade 8. The School is a member of the
American Montessori Society and is an International Baccalaureate World School (IB) offering the IB
Middle Years Program in Grades 6 through 8.

For more information about WFM:
https://www.waterfrontmontessori.com