About Marissa…

Marissa Ghavami (she/they) is an Iranian-American, queer artist and advocate based in New York City. As an actor and singer, she has worked alongside Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winners and nominees and appeared Off-Broadway (MTC, PRTT), on television (CBS, NBC) and in film (Paramount). As a producer, her work has premiered at Sundance, had a theatrical release and a BAFTA nomination. Marissa is the Founder of the nonprofit Healing TREE (Trauma Resources, Education & Entertainment) which has collaborated with several of the world’s leading trauma experts and internationally renowned artists and partnered with Fortune 5 company CVS’ Aetna. She is also a national public speaker (Amen Clinic, NYU, Rattlestick Theater) and trauma-informed coach for artists.

Recently, Marissa performed Off-Broadway at Manhattan Theatre Club’s Creative Center in Green: The Musical and won CreateTheater New Works Festival’s 2025 award for Best Supporting Actress In A Musical. In May of 2026, she acted in and produced the debut workshop production of a new play, The Big Bad, written by Lanford Wilson Award Winner Ren Dara Santiago, which was developed with and directed by Mack Brown (Lead Facilitator of the Roundabout Directors Group, Ars Nova Artist in Residence). Up next, The Knock Shadow, a short film Marissa acted in and produced alongside 2x Emmy Winner Lea DeLaria (Orange Is The New Black), which was also written by Ren Dara Santiago (Showtime’s Let the Right One In), will be in the festival circuit.

Marissa is especially interested in developing new work, art with social impact and telling Middle Eastern and queer stories. She is an avid meditator, a wellness enthusiast, a vegan and a cat parent to Sebastian and Viola. Marissa is always grateful to connect with like-minded creatives. Instagram: @marissaghavami @healingtreeorg

 

“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)

Recent PRESS

  • BroadwayWorld 4/6/26 - THE BIG BAD Will Receive Workshop Production at Abrons Arts Center

  • Authority Magazine 3/26/26 - Lauren Sowa and Marissa Ghavami of The Knock Shadow: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Filmmaker, An Interview With Diane Strand

  • IndieWrap 2/4/26 - Psychological Thriller Short ‘The Knock Shadow’ Heads to Festivals in 2026

  • Indie Clips 2/3/26 - "Give yourself more time" - Lauren Sowa & Marissa Ghavami “The Knock Shadow”

  • Indie Shorts Mag 1/15/26 - ‘The Knock Shadow’ Wraps Production: Inside the 1980s Psych-Thriller Examining Mental Health and Trauma

  • BroadwayWorld 1/5/26 - Divine Riot and Healing TREE Commission New Play THE BIG BAD By Ren Dara Santiago 

  • Suzee Behind The Scenes 10/9/25 - Interview: Multi-Hyphenate Actor Marissa Ghavami Shares Her Story of Trauma, Healing and Then Spreading Hope and Awareness Through Film: The Non-Profit Healing TREE Hosts NYC Gala With Celebrity Appearances October 18th, 2025

Click arrows to see more photos. Photos by Lauren Eliot Photography.