Marissa began her career in New York City in the Lower East Side at LA Mama Etc... helmed by Ellen Stewart, devising work with the late Elizabeth Swados and Michael Fieldman. She made her way through the off-off broadway scene performing at various venues including The New York International Fringe Festival and making her off-broadway debut at Urban Stages Theatre. Marissa lived and worked as an actress in New York City for ten years before heading off to the University of Washington to earn her MFA in ACTING. Upon completion, she lived in Los Angeles before moving to Chicago where she worked at various theatres throughout the city including appearances at the Goodman, Steppenwolf, Court, Writers, Victory Gardens, and Silk Road Rising Theatre.

She worked regionally at The Guthrie Theatre, Denver Center, Connecticut Free Shakespeare, and workshopped many new works by emerging playwrights. She has appeared in Chicago Fire, Chicago Justice, and Chicago Med, as well as short, and full-length Independent films.

She wrote her solo show, Yellow Dress in graduate school which performed in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Minnesota, St. Louis, and most recently at the Santa Monica Playhouse.

Marissa wrote a short film in 2020 inspired by her solo show with the same title, Yellow Dress which won 16 best film awards and 29 honors including honorable mentions and finalist selections. She completed her second short film, YOO which premiered this March and was awarded Best Short Film on Women by the RunDoc Film Festival, Best Actress Award by New York Movie Award, Best Acting Ensemble by Best Directors and Actors Award in New York City, and was an Official Selection at the Marina del Rey Film Festival. SEARCHING FOR YOO completed filming on June 29, 2022.

Marissa completed her Screenwriting degree at UCLA this Spring of 2022. She is a graduate of the University of Washington.