Marissa can be seen as the lead actress in the family film, Labou, released by MGM in 2009. Her most recent theater credits include, Ariel in Footloose, Miss Saigon, Annie, and Leader of the Pack, all principal roles. 

Marissa began her acting career at nine when she was cast as Edwina's little sister, Katie, in Dear Edwina, at Southern Rep Theater in New Orleans. She continued with Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge, as Cratchit's miserable daughter, and Dogs! The Musical, as an adorable cocker spaniel. Marissa was Liat, the beautiful Polynesian girl, in South Pacific at the Kenner Rivertown Theater, where she also sang and danced in Music Man. She also sang with the New Orleans Opera Association in Tosca, and Pagliacci. Marissa was selected over 400 dancers to perform at the NBA games for the New Orleans Hornets, as a member of The Stingers, a young hip-hop team.

In the short film, Neil and the Nun, Marissa co-stared as a fourth grader, dreaming of becoming an international spy. She also played a school girl in an Anti-Tobbacco video, produced by Discovery Films, for national school distribution.