Life & Work with Marissa Roberts

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Roberts. 

Hi Marissa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hey everyone! My name is Marissa Roberts. I grew up in small towns all around Southern Iowa and Northern Missouri. I always knew that music and acting was what I wanted do. It was my escape even at a young age, but growing up how I did, it seemed like a farfetched dream. But through any negativity or any hard time, I knew that this was my path one way or another. I would say it was during my adolescent years that I started to really open up and take charge of my future. My breakthrough into music and acting came a little later for me but it was during my college years. I was surrounded by the most amazing and talented human beings that pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me find my voice. I truly believe I am where I am today because of them, but also those individuals throughout my life that forced me to look a little harder in the mirror and give me a swift kick in the right direction. Reminding me that my life can be far greater than how I grew up. And I will be forever grateful for that. 

In my college years, I focused more on the music/musical theatre side of myself, which opened up my love for Broadway. Any time I’m on stage and in front of a live audience, feeling every emotion and really letting myself free is worth that experience every time. The last two years of college I ventured into acting. I was asked to do a commercial for my university and so we traveled up to our popular Channel 13 News station in Des Moines and filmed all day. I remember being the only music major student there surrounded by all these incredible theatre students and I was so intimidated by them because I felt this was their territory in a sense. We did two takes with my lines and the director looked at me and said, “I’m not sure if this is the career you’re looking into, but you really should consider this, that was amazing, we got the shot!” And that was kind of it for me, I said to myself, ‘let’s get on this ride and never look back’. 

I had many amazing opportunities in music and theater after that, one of which was working with Arliss Howard (Lost World: Jurassic Park and The Time Traveler’s Wife) in the theatre production of ‘Our Town’. 

After that is when I made the decision that after graduation I would move to LA and pursue my dreams in the entertainment industry. So, I packed two suitcases, sold everything in my apartment, and off I went. 

My first year in Los Angeles I decided the best start would be to do background work. I am sure it’s a much easier process now, but 8 years ago we had to get up at 6 am to be in line at Central Casting to sign up and get registered, which you were never guaranteed in the door. After that process, I was on the call line 24/7 booking background jobs. Now that I haven’t been doing it for a long time, I can say I didn’t always follow the rules of background. Sometimes you are sitting there for hours and my phone would always be on its last leg so I would wander off to charge it. And I can say those moments were always the best! I would somehow get myself tangled up meeting all the right people unknowingly. I remember I was on one set charging my phone in the bathroom and this woman comes in and starts asking me all these questions of why I was in here doing it. And to be honest as background we couldn’t go in certain areas and she just wasn’t having it. So, she told me to follow her and that she would make sure it was all charged up. I never wanted to get into any trouble on sets but also no one ever steered me in the wrong direction. So, I followed her and she lead me straight into the directors’ tent, had me sit down in one of the chairs in front of the monitors, grabbed my phone, introduced me to everyone, and she then told me, “I’m one of the writers, you’re in good hands, you just sit here and enjoy.” It’s definitely moments like that that kept me going during those longs days and it made me enjoy being a part of a production no matter how big or small. Just those little experiences. 

It came full circle for me about a year and a half after doing background work when I booked my first role on the tv show ‘Undateable” on NBC. It was a small role and I played a friend opposite one of the leads and that whole day was something I’ll never forget. The cast, the crew, the live audience, just everything about it. But to be honest, the moment that stood out the most was me sitting in one of those director chairs and I got a tap on my shoulder. It was one of the background actors and it turned out to be a gentleman I had worked many productions with. He gave me a big hug, words of encouragement, and said, “See look at you, I knew you could do it; you keep going and don’t look back, keep inspiring.” I’ve kept that moment forever near and dear to my heart because that is why I entered into this industry in the first place. To me, at the time, it was this small role, which I was grateful for, but I felt like a nobody on set. But this gentleman made me realize it doesn’t matter how big or small the role was or will be, we’re doing it, we are leaving our footprints somehow someway. We all have dreams. We all have had our different experiences and obstacles throughout our journey. We all aspire to be something and to inspire along the way. And I can only hope that sharing my experiences through my music and acting that it will keep a dream alive in anyone I come in contact with. Because there are many people who have done that for me and continue to. This is probably one of the hardest careers to break into but I wouldn’t change it for the world. 

I’ve had some incredible opportunities throughout my time here in LA and I know there will be many more to come. Most recently, I shot my first film for Lifetime and it’s called ‘Secrets on Campus”, directed by Ted Campbell. I grew up watching Lifetime movies so it was kind of special to be a part of the Lifetime community. Most of the cast I worked with, it was their first film as well, so being able to share that experience with them was pretty special and we all keep up with each other on social media and cheer one another on with every project. When it comes to music, I perform with a gentleman named Cortes Alexander (‘Liza’s at the Palace’). I joined his talented group of performers in 2018 as one of “the Swell Girls”. We are a Broadway/jazz-infused vocal group that really performs different numbers all across the board and we perform at Upstairs at Vitellos, in Studio City. Cortes and our musical director David Arana (current pianist/musical director for Engelbert Humperdinck) I feel so lucky to be in the company of them because of their many experiences throughout this industry and they have taught me so much and really pushed me back into what I love and what really saved me as a kid and that is music and performing. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As I said before this is definitely one of the hardest careers to break into, so it’s bound to come with its ups and downs. Those fair shares of yeses and nos. Also making sure you surround yourself with like-minded, driven people. Which you will learn along the way. For me, one thing that has been somewhat of an obstacle but has in no way stopped me from learning and pursuing this career is that I am Latina and grew up with my mother who is Caucasian. I grew up in really, really small country towns, and unfortunately embracing those Latin parts of myself wasn’t as celebrated or valued as it should have been. So, growing up I didn’t experience that culture around me or speaking Spanish. Those parts of me really began to flourish when I got into college. I met the most incredible people of the Latin community that welcomed me with open arms and helped me feel comfortable in my own skin and embrace those parts of me regardless if I spoke Spanish or not or grew up with it or not. It didn’t make me less Latina. 

But I will say that not speaking fluent Spanish or knowing the history of those parts of me has definitely brought its challenges in acting roles and there is still that line with some people where in their eyes I’m not “Latin enough”. But like I said that has not stopped me from pursuing those roles and learning more about my family history/culture and hopefully to be a voice for them and for the Latin community. To me, I couldn’t really help how or where I grew up and it took me a long time to understand and own that. I feel very blessed to have grown up in the Midwest and how I did, it definitely opened my eyes and mind up to many things. So, while I’ve kept that close to my heart, I am also so thankful to those who helped me venture into that other half of me being Latina. And hopefully opening up many opportunities throughout my journey. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I think what sets me apart is definitely my story and how I grew up. Although I didn’t go into detail today, I will say it wasn’t the easiest road and I truly had to grow up pretty fast. I know there are many people out there that may have similar stories and can relate. And I think more than anything we just want to be heard and also feel that we aren’t alone. I know that I am who I am today because of those experiences and I’m proud of that and I only hope that being able to share my story over time, will resonate with someone. Music and acting has been that outlet for me, to take what I’ve been through and hopefully make a difference in some way, shape, or form. Every project, every stage performance is an opportunity for me to connect with even one person in hopes they do the same on their journey. That is has a ripple effect in this community, in this industry. I may be but a small voice right now and am still learning, but as I said before I jumped on this ride and I don’t plan on looking back anytime soon. Keep pursuing, keep loving, keep creating, keep inspiring. 

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I just want to keep creating content and never lose the excitement I feel when I book a job or perform on stage. 5-10 years it’s truly hard to say what will happen, but I see TV, film, music, a commercial, or a few in my future. I believe in manifesting all of those opportunities. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://linktr.ee/MarissaRosa
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/marissarosa_

Image Credits
David Taggart
Brian Parillo