Mario Kovač graduated from the Department of Theater Directing and Radio Broadcasting at the Academy of Dramatic Art, and received his doctorate from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb.

He gathered his first theatrical experiences at the Drama School of the ZKM, in 1995 he founded the student theater group “Schmrtz Theater” which staged more than 120 plays, performances, happenings, concerts …, and in 2001 he founded the theater troupe “New Group” (Nova Grupa) with which he has performed at a number of experimental and student theater festivals around the world.

He is the initiator and founder of several alternative and student theater festivals and meetings (FAKI (Festival of Alternative Theater Expression), TEST! (Theater for Students!), K.R.A.D.U. (Theater Review of the Academy of Dramatic Art). He is also a drama pedagogue at the Dubrava Children’s Theater. Since 2000 he has worked as a professional theater director who has directed more than 80 plays so far.

He is active as an actor and film director, but also as a musician – he has released a dozen music albums with various bands (from cabaret punk to radical experimental), and plays keyboards, theremin and various electronic devices. He is also active in quiz tournaments and competitions, a frequent winner of medals and a member of the Croatian national team at several European and world quiz championships as well as at the Quiz Olympics in Athens in 2016.