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About Marissa…
Marissa Ghavami (they/she) is an Iranian-American, queer actor, producer and advocate based in New York City.
As an actor, most recently, they starred on stage as Irene in the U.S. Debut workshop production of the international hit, two-hander play The Little Pony at Torn Page in NYC.
“Marissa Ghavami embodies Irene’s outward practicality and inner turmoil with an aching sadness. Before the play concludes they deliver several sweeping emotional monologues that nearly stop the breath in the room.” - Austin Fimmano, Plays To See (The Little Pony, 2024).
Marissa’s film and television highlights include starring in the feature film The Gift of Christmas, alongside Academy Award Nominee Bruce Davison. Other highlights include roles in Paramount’s theatrically released feature film Not Fade Away with James Gandolfini and on CBS’s Without A Trace.
Recently in musical theatre, Marissa played Khalilah opposite Tony Winner KO (Karen Olivo) in a workshop of Siluetas, part of 4xLatiné Off-Broadway. As a singer, she performed on NBC’s legendary It’s Showtime at the Apollo and was named their “Star of Tomorrow”. Marissa has also sung at Birdland (alongside Academy Award Winner and Tony Nominee Ariana DeBose), Joe’s Pub (alongside Tony Nominee L Morgan Lee) and 54 Below.
Marissa’s training as an actor includes graduating from the William Esper Studio’s 2-year core program under the renowned, late Bill Esper. They are an Artists Striving To End Poverty (now Arts Ignite) Fellow and participant in the Artist As Citizen Conference at Juilliard.
As a producer, Marissa co-produced the feature film Mass, written and directed by Fran Kranz, starring Emmy Winners Ann Dowd and Martha Plimpton, Tony Winner Reed Birney and Jason Isaacs. Mass premiered at Sundance, had a theatrical release, won the Robert Altman Award and was a Gotham, Critics Choice and BAFTA nominee. She produced and co-wrote the short film Silk, directed by John Magaro (Past Lives, Carol, The Big Short), an Official Selection at the Academy Award Qualifying Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival, among others. They are a Founding Company Member of Divine Riot, a new theatre and film company that defies convention.
As an advocate, Marissa is the Founding Executive + Artistic Director of the nonprofit Healing TREE (Trauma Resources, Education & Entertainment). Healing TREE has partnered with Aetna, under the CVS umbrella (a Fortune 4 company) and collaborated with internationally recognized trauma experts and artists. Marissa is also a national public speaker, whose engagements include an event for The Mighty (the world's largest online health community) and New York University’s Martin Scorsese Virtual Production Center. She has also given keynotes, post-show talk-backs and presented Continuing Education Units to mental health and medical professionals. Additionally, Marissa is a healing trauma coach for artists and a trauma consultant for productions.
Marissa is especially interested in developing new works, art with social impact and telling Middle Eastern and queer stories. They are enthusiastic about meditation, manifestation and wellness. She is a cat parent to her two rescue Bengal mixes, Sebastian and Viola. Marissa is always grateful to connect with like-minded creators. Instagram handles: @marissaghavami @healingtreeorg @adivineriot
