As a professional singer/musician for most of her life, Marissa Saroca (she/her) has two independent original albums, was on Team Lea (Salonga) of season one of The Voice of the Philippines, two ABC Newcastle Music Awards for Best Female Vocals, and an extensive recording, coaching, and live performance career. In 2006 she was in her first musical RENT, with her third reprisal of ‘Maureen’ in 2017 earning her a CONDA nomination (City of Newcastle Drama Awards). She has played roles including ‘Gabriella’ (HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, Newcastle Entertainment Centre) and was part of the development workshop of new work BETWEEN WORLDS, which was performed at the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) by a professional cast. Marissa was in the ensemble for the musicals GHOST and SHREK on the Philippine professional stage and her first play was for Knock And Run Theatre’s AJAX IN IRAQ in 2018, followed by THE PLASTIC BEACH at the Newcastle Fringe Festival in 2019. Marissa is currently in pre-production for her third original album, was in the Ensemble and ‘Maureen/Joanne’ cover of RENT at the Sydney Opera House in early 2021, and played ‘The Arbiter’ in the musical CHESS at Civic Theatre Newcastle in February 2021. 

 

Marissa has a Bachelor of Arts (Communication) with a major in sound and media production, is part of the Captioners Collective who provide live captioning for online meetings and webinars for arts organisations, and has past work in radio and magazines. She is currently a songwriting, production, and vocal coach for the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music.

As the proud daughter of a Filipino immigrant, Marissa is excited for a future of more diverse representation and accessibility within the industry. She is an active member of Musicians Australia (MEAA). Marissa honours Awabakal and Worimi Land where she was born, grew up on, and is currently living. Always Was, Always Will Be.