We recently connected with Maryann Marselles and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Maryann thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I was always interested in acting and performing, ever since I was a child. I never considered pursuing it professionally back then though. I went to college and got a B.A. in Elementary and Special Education, and it was when I was in my student teaching semester that I realized it was in front of a camera, and not in front of a classroom, where I wanted to be. I think my love of performing showed through in the way I interacted with my students, but I couldn’t shake the desire I had to go all in and pursue a career in the entertainment industry professionally. Everyone said to get a “real job” in case I “don’t make it in Hollywood,” but for me, I have no choice but to make it. I can’t imagine doing anything else, and this is my purpose. I sometimes wonder what my life would be like now if I did choose to become a teacher instead. Would I have more money, less stress, more stability? Would I have other things in life I thought that I would have by now? The other question I ask myself is, would I be happy? To be honest with myself, I’m not sure if I would be. But I know acting makes me happy, and doing what I love everyday and collaborating with other creative professionals who have the same love I have, makes me happy. I’m happy to say I love what I do, because a lot of people out there can’t say the same thing.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area of PA (for all you fans out there, yep, this is the setting of The Office). I’ve always enjoyed acting and performing ever since I was a child. I was a part of a children’s theater group for several years and participated in school plays in high school, but chose to go a different route in college and majored in education. Although I loved working with kids, I decided I would be happiest pursuing acting full-time, so I decided to move to NYC to begin my acting career. I got set experience working on productions throughout the city, and endlessly trained in my craft, completing a two- year conservatory program in the Meisner technique at Maggie Flanigan Studio. I then decided to move to Los Angeles, where I have worked in several tv shows, films, web series, and commercials. I’m also in the process of making my first short film. I am most proud of the fact that I have stuck with this career and kept going, even through the hard times. It’s been a long haul for me, and in the beginning I wasn’t sure I would be able to do it, but I’m finally starting to see my efforts pay off, as I’m getting more consistent work in a variety of genres. I hope I’m able to serve as a source of inspiration for anyone who’s afraid to follow their dreams- I want everyone to know you should just go for it! Remember, building anything of value is a marathon, not a sprint. I’m certainly glad I chose to follow my passion- performing- and can’t wait to see what’s next. I know my journey is just beginning.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative for me is getting to make a living expressing myself and doing what I love to do. I’m able to create a character who’s a completely different person from myself, while at the same time having aspects of myself expressed in that character as well. I’m able to put myself into my work and have the freedom to express myself that I don’t think I would have in a lot of other careers. I’m able to have a purpose for myself in knowing that entertainment is a powerful distraction and form of escapism for many people. I am proud to be a part of a community where everyone is blessed to be able to use their unique talents to make a living.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think non-creatives might struggle to understand why I do what I do- why I chose to pursue a career in an admittedly very uncertain field when I could have chosen a more predictable career (teaching). Sometimes, I think about this myself. I try to imagine what my life would be like if I was working another “regular” job, and if I could be truly happy in another industry. But ultimately, whenever I think about if I could be happy doing something else, my mind always comes back to this, and I realize this is what makes me truly happy- getting to perform and create characters and do what I love to do is my passion and purpose, and I can’t imagine doing anything else. If you have a true desire and calling for something, you have to exist doing that, because at the end of the day, nothing else will compare to your passion.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.maryannmarselles.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryann_marselles
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryann.marselles
• Other: Actors Access: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/maryannmarselles IMDb: www.imdb.me/maryannmarselles

Image Credits
Shani Hadjian Photography, Ben Esner Photography