AMDA Grad Marissa Bode Soars in Wicked: For Good!

With the theatrical release of Wicked’s long-anticipated sequel, Wicked: For Good, we would like to shine a spotlight on AMDA graduate Marissa Bode! Marissa stars as “Nessarose” in the Wicked 2-part musical film adaptation, making history as the first wheelchair user to take on this role, a character who also uses a wheelchair.

Marissa attended AMDA’s Los Angeles campus where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting. We recently checked in with AMDA LA Acting Faculty members Jim Bontempo and Drew Barr, two of Marissa’s favorite teachers, who shared reflections on their time guiding her as a student.

Jim Bontempo or just “Bontempo” as he is referred to by Marissa and the rest of his adoring students said:

"From day 1 [at AMDA], Marissa was a bright light in the room - a luminous smile paired with open fearlessness. She never shied away from the work but rather dove in and accepted every challenge with a fierce grace. In her first semester, I recommended that her final scene be featured in AMDA's Division Demonstrations. She had an inquisitive mind and never settled but strove for what made the character unique to her. She understands the work.

During her 8th semester, Marissa wrote one of her monologues included in her Spotlight Reel. It was about a person in a wheelchair rolling up to a bus stop and someone saying "I'm going to pray for you..." The character responded with humor: "...why do 'ables' think we need prayers?" It was selected for the end of the semester's Snapshots Performance. Marissa always found the specific uniqueness that linked her and her character. 

At her Graduation, she introduced me to her beaming parents and not surprisingly, they were lovely and so proud of her. I am so happy for her and proud to have had a small part in her development."

-Jim Bontempo, AMDA LA Principal Acting Faculty

Drew Barr, who Marissa said she loves dearly, shared:

"I am overjoyed that the whole world is getting to know Marissa's talent, her heart and humor. What a thrill to see her spirit, which I came to know so well on the tiny Zoom screens of COVID lockdown, impacting the lives of countless people on IMAX-sized screens across the globe. I can't wait to see what she does next!"

-Drew Barr, AMDA LA Acting Faculty

Marissa at the New York City Premiere of Wicked: For Good.

The AMDA Community is thrilled to celebrate Marissa’s accomplishments! You can see her incredible talent for yourself in Wicked: For Good, now in theaters.

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures. For editorial purposes only.