Marissa Bode made her feature film debut as Nessarose in the 2024 and 2025 films “Wicked” and “Wicked: For Good.” Her portrayal broke barriers as she was the first wheelchair user to play the role, despite the musical being one of the longest-running shows on Broadway.
In addition to her acting career, Bode is an advocate for disability representation and an ambassador for Saving Our Daughters. An organization that supports young girls of color to help with self-esteem, personal development and emotional intelligence.
Before her Tate Lecture on Feb. 3, The Daily Campus Managing Editor, Gianna La Fond, sat down with Bode to discuss her path into acting, the impact of her role in “Wicked” and her commitment to representation.
Gianna La Fond: What originally drew you to performing?
Marissa Bode: I tell this to everybody, and it really is true, first and foremost, it was my love for being annoying. My brother did theater before me, and I loved copying him and being annoying in that way. I did local community theater to copy him, but then I grew to love it. It was also a social thing my friends were doing. I really grew a love for it in general and the artistry of it. In high school is when I really grew a love for on-camera acting. I didn’t do a ton, but I did start paying attention to it more. I would watch a movie, and I would take little bits and pieces of performances that I really enjoyed. I think a movie that I can think of is “Ladybird.” I love Greta Gerwig, and that came out my junior year, and I was like, ‘Man, I love the storytelling of this.’ I love coming of age in general. I think that film was a movie that came out at a very pivotal moment for me when I was like, ‘Oh, my God, senior year is coming around, I don’t know what I’m doing.’ That was something where I was like, ‘Yeah, I think I really want to do that.’ Then I went to college for acting and just kept up with it, really.
La Fond: In “Wicked,” you’re the first actress to play Nessarose, who uses a wheelchair in daily life. What did that milestone mean to you personally?
Bode: It meant a lot to me in a number of different ways and I really do give a lot of credit to people that came before me in the industry as a whole. For example, Julian Rico, who I can call a friend now, which is still wild to me, is an incredible actress and wheelchair model. Ariana Phillips, who is also a wheelchair model, and Lo Spencer, another disabled actress in a wheelchair. I do really give a lot of credit to them for paving the way. Also, Allie Stroker, who is the first person in a wheelchair to win a Tony, inspired me. They showed other people in wheelchairs that you do have a space. At least I knew my capability, and I know a lot of other disabled actresses know their capability, but it’s about reminding themselves that they can take up that space and that they shouldn’t take a no for an answer. It means a lot to me to be a part of that for other people now.
La Fond: What’s one moment from the “Wicked” set that you’ll never forget?
Bode: I do say this every time, also, but it is so true. Seeing younger NessaRose [played by Cecily Collette Taylor] for the first time… I see a lot of myself in her. She was four at the time of filming and was the tiniest human being I’ve ever seen. She was just so cute, and her family was so lovely and already so welcoming. I’m the worst responder on planet Earth, but her mom really did a great job of just following up with me, post-filming, and now I consider them family; we’re really very close. They don’t live that far from my partner, so we see them. We haven’t seen them as often because she’s also been really busy. I’ve loved to see her blossom and flourish. She’s gained so much confidence from being cast in this, and that’s just been something so beautiful to see. Seeing her for the first time, I think, is something that will always stick with me because I love her and her family so dearly. She’s killing it on red carpets. I really do think this whole experience has given her so much confidence, and it’s been really so cool to see. I’m so proud of her.
La Fond: You’re an ambassador for Saving Our Daughters, which supports and mentors girls of color. What inspired you to be a part of this organization?
Bode: My team had reached out to me and told me about the organization, and I thought it was really cool. I grew up in an area where there wasn’t a ton of diversity, so in any way that I could be that for a group of young girls, I would love to. I think it’s “Wicked” in general, but also with me, this could be one of the first few times they’ve had an opportunity to talk to somebody in a wheelchair. So I think it was important to talk to kids about disability and get them familiar with something that they were unfamiliar with, because kids are always curious. My previous job was working at the Boys and Girls Club in Santa Monica. The kids were always asking questions there because disabilities aren’t taught in most K-through-12 programs. I think it was a really great opportunity to talk about disability and also, of course, my love for acting, and letting them know that people of all shapes and sizes belong in the entertainment industry.
La Fond: You were recently announced for the psychological thriller “Snare.” What are you most looking forward to about taking on a role that’s so different from “Wicked?”
Bode: It’s very different from “Wicked.” It’s very, very different from “Wicked,” for sure. We’re shooting right now, and the team is so great. I truly have loved working with everybody there. I have such a love for horror and all things scary and thriller. It’s been really cool to be a part of that and a part of a queer story as well. It’s been very fun taking on a character that’s very different from everything I’ve really played so far. The directors are very collaborative, very open to hearing opinions and everything, but also they have such a distinct vision for themselves. I’ve seen some of the playback already. It looks really good artistically, and I’m excited for other people to see it whenever that may be. I have no idea, to be honest with you.
La Fond: What made you say yes to speaking at SMU, and what do you hope students take away from your Tate Lecture?
Bode: This is my first time in Texas, and I hate that I’m here for such a short amount of time because I don’t really get to see the city. But I’m sure I’ll be back someday. First of all, I wanted to visit a state that I’ve never been to and talk to a different demographic of students, give whatever perspective that I have to offer and share my love for the arts with everybody and all the students here.
