Marissa Labog

Marissa Labog, nicknamed "Mighty" by her peers, is committed to her strong belief in the transformative power of storytelling. Indicated by her nickname, as an actor, dancer, and stunt woman, Marissa is fearless and powerful in her pursuit for creative adventure earning her awards such as the Lester Horton Award for Outstanding Performer, the Solo Award, and an Ovation Award Nomination. Unable to sit still she explored multiple avenues of movement from dance, gymnastics, and martial arts to running, jumping, and climbing trees. Dancing nationally and internationally with PCB Ballet and Inland Pacific Ballet, Marissa was urged by her loving mother to take up martial arts to learn to "defend" herself while traveling abroad. Enrolling her in Karate, Marissa excelled and furthered her study with capoeira, and Tae Kwon Do. Curious of her training and its connection to her growing desire to tell stories, Marissa went on to Scripps College where she graduated with a BA in both Dance and English and the coveted Lucille Morrison Scholarship. After graduation, Marissa performed as a principle dancer across the United States, Japan, Ireland, Portugal, Russia, China, Holland, Belgium, and England with the companies John Pennington and the famed LA Philharmonic, Oni Dance, Rosanna Gamson Worldwide, Company of Strangers, and Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre of which she is rehearsal director. In a wonderful twist of fate, Marissa stumbled upon breaking (aka break dancing). Impressed by its freedom and pursuit of individuality, she went on to found and direct the breaking performance group called "One Step Ahead." Established as a youth advocate organization, OSA is now recognized as a prominent physical theater company. She worked with such artists as Tina Turner, Christina Aguilera, LL Cool J, and prominent brands such as Nike, iPod, and Coke. Moving onto TV and Film, Marissa had worked on such shows as "The Drew Carey Show,""Fresh Beat Band," "Shake It Up" and films "House Bunny," "Bratz," and " Colombiana," to name a few. Through film work Marissa had the pleasure of working with superstar originator of parkour David Belle, delving her into the world of stunts, a world perfect for a woman of her unique skills. Currently studying acting with Diana Castle and Steve Tiesort, Marissa can also be seen horrifying viewers as a terrorist in "Act of Valor," seducing lovers in "Hail Satan," and courageously, sometimes drunkenly, coping with the aftermath of a catastrophic flood in the theater production of "Dirty Mean Tricks." A proud member of SAG and Aftra, Marissa looks forward to many creative adventures coming her way.