Marissa Ghavami is an Iranian-American actor, singer, producer, and advocate based in New York City, identifying as she/they.
As an actor, Marissa has recently starred on stage as Irene in the U.S. Debut workshop production of the international hit play The Little Pony at Torn Page in NYC, receiving praise for her performance from Plays To See, with Austin Fimmano noting her ability to convey Irene's emotional turmoil with "an aching sadness".
Marissa's film and television highlights include starring in the feature film The Gift of Christmas alongside Academy Award Nominee Bruce Davison, as well as roles in Paramount's theatrically released feature film Not Fade Away with James Gandolfini and on CBS's Without a Trace.
In musical theatre, Marissa has played Khalilah opposite Tony Winner KO in a workshop of Siluetas, part of 4xLatiné Off-Broadway, and has performed at notable venues such as Birdland, Joe's Pub, 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 William Esper, and she is 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, which premiered at Sundance, had a theatrical release, won the Robert Altman Award, and was a Gotham, Critics Choice, and BAFTA nominee. She also produced and co-wrote the short film Silk, directed by John Magaro, an Official Selection at the Academy Award Qualifying Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival, among others.
As an advocate, Marissa is the Founding Executive + Artistic Director of the nonprofit Healing TREE (Trauma Resources, Education & Entertainment),which has partnered with Aetna and collaborated with internationally recognized trauma experts and artists. She is also a national public speaker, healing trauma coach for artists, and trauma consultant for productions.
Marissa is interested in developing new works, art with social impact, and telling Middle Eastern and queer stories, and is enthusiastic about meditation, manifestation, and wellness. She is a cat parent to her two rescue Bengal mixes, Sebastian and Viola, and is always grateful to connect with like-minded creators.
