Marissa Lichwick is an award-winning actress, filmmaker, and writer whose work bridges theatre, film, and deeply personal storytelling. She began her artistic journey on New York City’s Lower East Side at La MaMa E.T.C., creating new work under the visionary Ellen Stewart and collaborating with artists such as Elizabeth Swados and Michael Fieldman. After a decade performing throughout New York’s vibrant downtown theatre scene—including a celebrated Off-Broadway debut at Urban Stages—Marissa earned her MFA in Acting from the University of Washington.

Her career has since taken her across the country. In Chicago, she has performed at the Goodman, Steppenwolf, Court Theatre, Writers Theatre, Victory Gardens, and Silk Road Rising, as well as regionally at The Guthrie Theater, Denver Center, and Connecticut Free Shakespeare. On screen, Marissa has appeared in Chicago Fire, Chicago Justice, Chicago Med, and numerous independent films.

Marissa’s solo show Yellow Dress, written in graduate school and inspired by her personal story, has been performed in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Minnesota, St. Louis, and most recently at the Santa Monica Playhouse. She later adapted it into a short film that garnered 16 Best Film awards and 29 additional honors across national and international festivals.

Her second film, YOO, premiered in March and continues its festival run, winning Best Short Film on Women (RunDoc Film Festival), Best Actress (New York Movie Awards), and Best Acting Ensemble (Best Directors & Actors Awards, NYC). Searching for YOO now streams on Amazon Prime, Tubi, and additional platforms, and is available on Blu-ray.

Marissa completed her Screenwriting degree at UCLA in 2022. In Summer 2025, she received the University of Chicago Faculty Fellows Grant and returned to UCLA to attend the Summer Institute for Film Production. She is currently developing her second feature film.

She is represented bi-coastally by Firestarter Entertainment for theatre, film, and television.