" My name is Marissa. I've been acting for most of my life (little skits for church or school), but really "got into it" in the 7th grade. I've been taking part in school productions ever since, and hope to move on to professional acting work now that I am in college.

Thus far, my experience mostly comes from live theatre; however, through involvement in student film projects at school and other independent projects, my experience with filming is growing. I have experience in both comedies and dramas, with roles ranging from one-line characters to leads, protagonists to antagonists. I am comfortable with just about any genre or role. (I would especially love the chance to work on a science-fiction project, though - I half-joke that my life's goal is to have a role on "Doctor Who.")

Although my first love is acting, I have also been singing for most of my life; I took voice lessons for a couple of years, and have performed a great number of solos/duets for church, school (including musical plays), and local youth theatre. I also played the flute 9 years (I haven't played in a while, but still know how) and play basic guitar; I can also play simple melodies on the piano by ear.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS, to date...
- Mercedes Sato in "Browncoats: Redemption" (independent fan film for charity, dir. Mike Dougherty), January - June 2009 for September 2010 DVD release.
College:
- The Wife in "Azad" (short student film), May 2008
- Various roles in "Fordham Night Live" (student-created sketch comedy show for Fordham University), Spring semester 2009 (January - May)
High School:
- Mrs. Lyons in "Blood Brothers" (play by Willy Russell), May 2007
- Annie Robbins in "Proposals" (play by Neil Simon), December 2006 "