We had the good fortune of connecting with Marissa Madsen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marissa, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Well first, art and especially performing has always been something that has lit me up! I’ve always been drawn to it. I remember my first time on stage in kindergarten I was dressed as a present in the holiday show, and my costume broke so I was holding it together with my hands. But I didn’t care. I was beaming so hard just being up there, I don’t think I even sang any of the lyrics. I’ve learned to get my lines right since then.

My decision to go into acting came from wanting to follow what my heart wanted, and see where it would take me. I also love connecting with people (the audience as well as the cast and crew) through the magic of performing. To bring people laughter and empathy and to transport them.

There is also a part of me that has always looked at other people and said, “If they can do that, so can I.” So I go after what I want and when I’m faced with adversity, I forge ahead and try my best to untangle the knots, one string at a time.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love acting in any capacity, but I really love getting to play outrageous, silly, ridiculous characters. And getting to inject improv into a script. I find it all so fun and freeing. A definite creative highlight for me was making the mockumentary short film ‘Hazel & Louis: Animal Agents’ with Sayat Ozcan. I would love to turn it into a show and get to play Hazel for 6 seasons a la ‘What We Do In The Shadows’.

The exciting and challenging thing about being an actor is that you never know what’s in store for you. But I think that mirrors life, so the more you can find acceptance for that and continue to push yourself as an artist, and enjoy what you do when you’re not acting, the happier you’ll be. In my opinion I feel like I’m just getting started.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I absolutely adore the history of this city, particularly Hollywood history of course. So we would definitely have to stay at The Beverly Hills Hotel, have lunch at the Smoke House and dinner at Chateau Marmont. An afternoon at the Griffith Observatory would be in store, followed by watching the sunset while sipping drinks on the veranda of the Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica. It would be mandatory to eat every other meal at an old diner, any wonderful old diner. We’d have to make time for Travel Town in Griffith Park to see all the trains. And pass by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s former home before making our way down to Anaheim for Disneyland. If we’re going dancing, which I hope we do, we’ll go to the semi-secret speakeasy Breakroom 86 in Koreatown (and bonus they’ve got karaoke).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so fortunate to have my “village”, because it truly does take one. This is going to read like a too-long acceptance speech but I really do have so many people to thank! So don’t play me off too soon.

My family Harriet, Michael and Jeffrey and my friends have given me endless support and encouragement. My long-time creative collaborators and friends Sayat Ozcan, Liz Benham, George Snarberg III and Heather Mattheisen have not only been on this ride with me but have taught me so much about comedy, writing and performing; I owe them so much. Jenny Formica is a wonderful actor and nominated me for this interview which is just the cat’s pajamas. My agent Marshall Fox has given me so much support and insight. To Shout Out LA for recognizing people in our community! And my teachers… my wonderful unforgettable inspiring encouraging teachers: Amy Lyndon, Ani Avetyan, Audrey Moore, Carolyne Barry, Chris Alvarado, Craig Cackowski, Diana Jellinek, Donovan Scott, Joshua Bitton… and to everyone who’s ever said yes to me. Because like Lady Gaga said in those one thousand interviews, all it takes is one person to say yes.

Website: https://marissamadsen.com

Instagram: @marissamadsen

Image Credits
Christopher Michael Everett, Cameron Rice, Santa Hat Productions

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