Hi! I'm Marleena.
Welcome to the show.
I'm a performance artist and storyteller - but above all else I want to share what it's like to be human. I'm elated to show you what I'm made of: Columbo episodes, left-handedness, and a knack for enigmatology. Also 70% water.I could be just what the doctor ordered.
Let's work together!
📸 Credits: Elena Snow add. Edits by David Cardoso
Video
Links + Video to some pieces I've worked on.
Work
I aim to create and participate in work that involves projects for social change and barrier-breaking storytelling, approached from a perspective of empathy, humanity, and collaboration.
I can sure as hell try.
Credits for _Dead Man's Cell Phone
Phone_:
Director
John O' Hagan
Asst. Director - Jonathan Waller
Scenic
Stuart Hollis
Lighting
Janelle Klos
Costumes
Tyler M. HollandCredits for Evangeline Drowning:
Director
John O' Hagan
Scenic
Stuart Hollis
Lighting
David Carr
Costumes
Mari-Ellin WittCredits for Julius Caesar
PHOTOS: @nilescottstudios
Director - Bryn Boice
Assistant Director - Elena Toppo
Stage Manager - Chris Daly
Costume Designer - Ellie Delucia
Wardrobe Supervisor - LaNiyah Grovell
Fight/Intimacy coordinator - Jess Meyer
Production Manager - Lisette Van Den Boogaard
About
As a working artist with a passion for storytelling and youth outreach, I know this is a tuff gig. Since coming into theatre through youth programming, I love to challenge my peers, students, and fellow/emerging artists to think outside the box, no matter where or how their circumstances have started them.Starting from a voluntary desegregation program myself, I pursued my exposure to theatre through study and training. I'm working to be part of the next group of young female Black artists to continue that cycle of inspiration & pursuit of storytelling while reminding us what it means to be human. We're PEOPLE, people!No one should be denied the opportunity to create!When I'm not on stage, I'm writing, enjoying a good book, puzzle, or escape room to keep my senses sharp and my enemies terrified.
Image Credit: Camp Balcones Springs
Pictured (left to right): Kayla Sessoms, Marleena Garris and Rebekah Brunson from Commonwealth Shakespeare Company ARC
News
Summer 2025Marleena will be collaborating with two companies this summer as an actor and understudy Details TBA
Summer 2023Marleena Garris was in collaboration with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company in the Apprentice Cohort! As a recipient of the SPARK scholarship for BIPOC actors - assisted with Shakespeare on the Common, and presented Julius Caesar this summer as CASCA.
Summer 2022
Marleena Garris is one of the Mabel. P Robinson Emerging Artists at the National Black Theatre Festival - read more about the award below:
The Mabel P. Robinson Awardees at the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, NC.
Keep up with Marleena on Instagram @marleenagarris
ROCKING student (Piper) after a show during the Land of Smiles tour with the National Theatre for Children - she made us a painting!
Video interview on tour for The National Theatre for Children - That's MY tooth fairy!
Contact
Want to talk about a project or just say hello? Drop me a line:)
Thank you
I look forward to connecting with you!