About Marissa

Marissa was born and raised in New Jersey and has been involved in theatre since she was a kid. For most of her early life, she was a singer and an actor performing in community theater and school productions. She then attended Skidmore College, where she majored in theatre with an acting concentration. Upon graduation, she moved to New York City and embarked on the actor's life. She performed in some off-off Broadway productions but quickly realized that something was missing. She took an internship with an arts education organization and ended up working there for over 15 years. Through this work, she found a new passion in theatre education. In 2011, she went back to school and received her Masters in Educational Theatre from The City College of New York. Marissa has directed over 20 productions and has taught numerous classes in various theatre subjects from Stage Makeup to Acting Techniques. 

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For years, Marissa has also worked as a private and small group acting and audition coach on her own. She specializes in guiding young actors to approach their work with authenticity and joy. Marissa has coached students for auditions for performing arts high schools and colleges as well as for professional jobs. Her students have attended top performing arts high schools and colleges and many of them have worked on Broadway and in Film and Television. Marissa believes that the student's personality and love of the arts should be foremost and that the key to booking jobs or gaining acceptance is to be yourself and show people why you are special. 

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In addition to her work as a teacher and director, Marissa continues to perform as a singer and actor in New York. Her favorite project to date was the NY premiere production of THE DROWNING GIRLS in which she played Alice. 

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She lives in New York with her husband and daughters.