We recently connected with Marisa Echeverria and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Marisa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

During the summer of 2021, I worked on an independent feature film called “The Ballad of a Coyote.” It was a passion project of writer/director Trevor Riley, and it was shot on a shoestring budget during the pandemic. The piece spoke to me right away, because the character I played, Martina, was a fighter: a prosecutor in Mexico who had lost everything to the cartel’s violence and was forced to flee the land she loved and to which she had dedicated her life’s work.

My father was born and raised in Mexico, and to be able to tell this story, to speak Spanish in this way, to sing Spanish folk songs on film, to walk, even fictionally, the path my grandparents walked, through the desert, was deeply meaningful to me.

I also felt grateful to have this work, which was so intimate and deeply rooted, in the midst of the pandemic. Ultimately, Ballad is a story about seeing another person’s humanity, and how that can transform us in all kinds of ways. There were often only a handful of us in the middle of the desert foothills, and the way Trevor shot allowed us to take our time. It was wonderful to be in this kind of austere and beautiful nature, isolated but together, making this story come alive.

Marisa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

When I was a kid, a teacher noticed I had a natural musical aptitude and asked my parents if I’d like to join the children’s choir she was starting at a nearby church. That choir led me to dozens of artistic opportunities: concerts, background singing, travel, film soundtracks, and holiday albums. I met incredible singers and musicians, from Luther Vandross and Patti LaBelle to Yo-Yo Ma. I also took part in three operas at the Los Angeles Music Center, and those experiences led me to discover acting.

Acting, specifically in the theatre, has been a foundational part of all my work. I’ve performed in theaters all over the country, including Philip Glass’s “The Bacchae” at the Delacorte Theatre for Shakespeare in the Park, and the world premieres of the musicals “Jersey Boys” at La Jolla Playhouse and “Giant” at Signature Stage. In New York City, I’ve appeared in shows and readings at all kinds of venues, including The Public Theater, Roundabout Theatre, Symphony Space, INTAR, NAMT, NYMF, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Most recently, I sang in a concert version of the new musical “5 & Dime” at Joe’s Pub.

My work in film and television includes stand-out roles like Violet Webster on Amazon’s acclaimed series, “Goliath,” and Gloria Hartman on John Wells’ “Animal Kingdom.” I’ve guest-starred on a long list of hit shows, including “Loot,” “The Morning Show,” “Shameless,” “9-1-1: Lone Star,” “Southland,” “The Mentalist,” “E.R.,” “Rescue Me,” and “Law & Order,” and most recently the Apple TV series “Sugar,” opposite Colin Farrell. I played the lead role of Martina Vasquez in Glass Features’ “The Ballad of a Coyote,” which won Best Thriller at the Independent Filmmakers Showcase Film Festival in downtown Los Angeles, and recently starred as Bianca Delgado in “Knox Goes Away,” directed by Michael Keaton.

I’ve been an actor for decades now, and, even though I do a variety of other things, I consider myself an actor at heart, because in everything I do, I work from that place of creativity, curiosity, and empathy. I’m a coach and a teacher; I direct for stage and film. I’ve had success as a commercial actor and voice-over artist. I love helping other people find confidence in communication and performance, whether it be on stage or in corporate settings. I’m at my best when working collaboratively, and I am genuinely inspired by change and transformation.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I thrive on working with other people. I think that goes back to being in a choir and knowing that it takes all of our voices to make a beautiful sound.

Working in theater, developing a new piece and helping to create a show from scratch, means that everyone in the room is contributing. Valuing all those voices means you’ll get more out of it and, hopefully, impact more people. Though there is of course a structure to the room (producers, directors, writers, actors), the overall feeling can be one of real collaboration, where you put your ego aside and really serve the work and, ultimately, the audience. That feeling is unbeatable.

I’ll also mention that the theme of renewal in creative work is inspiring for me, and something I appreciate more and more as I get older. Even though it can be challenging, I love the reminder that everything is a cycle, and we can constantly surprise ourselves with what we create. It can be really hard to finish a job, end a chapter, start something new, but there’s also lots of opportunity in those moments.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I just got back from a family trip to London, where the government has a really different attitude towards the arts, and many arts programs are subsidized. As a result, a lot of incredible museums and cultural centers are completely free to the public, and theater tickets are much more affordable.

An artist friend of mine in France told me about the generous stipends the government there has for artists, because they value the contributions they are continually making to society.

I think we need to consider the value of arts and creativity in American society, and how we can better support artists. Our history is full of times when government has created policies to support artists and artistic creativity, and what an enriching experience that can be for society at large. We can do it again. I’m always looking for ways to support change for artists on a larger level.

Contact Info:

• Website: imdb.me/marisaecheverria
• Instagram: @itsmarisaecheverria
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/marisa-echeverria