"On & on and on & on..my cypher keeps moving like a rolling stone"

Most of us use the end of the year to evaluate our accomplishments, our failures and set new goals for the upcoming year. As an artistic creator I, too, use the end of the year as a self-reflection. I rang in 2012 on the runway at LAX headed to La Habana, Cuba. Full of excitement, creativity and love. Little did I know the momentum it would build for an incredible year of ups and downs, trials and tribulations, letting go and letting in and most importantly creativity and fulfilling my life's purpose of connecting people to themselves, to each other and building community- through art.

La Habana, Cuba

"MY L.A" original production Heart&Soul Collective

Dance Workshop in Yorkshire, England

"Worlds Together" Conference in London, England

Creating in Paris, France

West Coast Regional Premiere of "In the Heights"

"Creating Possibilities..."

What did I learn?

That everything in my first 35 years of life has prepared me for where I'm at and what I have yet to accomplish. Nothing would be possible without all the doors that have been shut on me personally and professionally to be able to do the work with love, compassion and to connect the human spirit. 

Although I can do ANYthing...I can't do EVERYthing. I had a few health scares. When you love what you do and it is your "life's work" you tend to think you are superhuman. I learned I must take care of myself as an individual and as an artist or I am no good to anyone (still working on this one).

This was a year of healing and affirmation. The universe continues to remind me of my purpose, my gifts and strengthen my faith in it. I had to let go of people, painful experiences and negative energy to make room for all the light and love I have been so blessed to receive and ALLOW myself to live it.

To always, always, ALWAYS trust my intuition. The only decisions that have ever left me uneasy are ones that didn't resinate with the higher being. Living in truth is the most difficult and most rewarding form of art and I do my best to live in gratitude for every thing I am and every thing I am not- every day. 

2012 was a foundational year for me but even at the year's end my creativity and life is an endless cypher with no beginning and no end. That being said...this is only the beginning. 

I am blessed for all of you that have inspired, shared, participated, loved, supported and believed in me as a person and as an artist. 

2013 is already off to a fulfilling year. I have youth to teach, new countries to visit, art to create and lots and lots of ideas :)

Peace and blessings!

Keep Creating, 

Marissa

"Art creates hope, and with hope anything is possible"- Marissa Herrera

"You may say that I'm a dreamer..."

It was this time last year I was preparing to embark on a research project with The Arya Dance Project and The Danza Moderna de Cuba Dance Co. in La Habana, Cuba. My research was going to be on the impact of technology and hip-hop culture on the "Revolution." Shortly after arriving I realized how difficult it was going to be to get Cuban nationals to speak against, or for, the government to an American- and ON camera. But like most times, the universe always seems to lead me to the true purpose of my creativity and work.

My assistant, and former student Jessica, who is like a daughter to me was with me on this trip to Cuba. A few years earlier I had taken her on her first trip to New York. Being a dedicated Beatles fan she wanted to visit "Strawberry Fields" in Central Park, which we did. She was so moved and compelled by the experience and especially the "Imagine" plaque dedicated to John Lennon. She took it all in as a quiet reflection. She then saw a picture of a statue of John Lennon sitting on bench and ran around the park looking for it. When she stopped to ask someone where she could find it he responded, "That statue isn't in this park. It's in La Havana, Cuba." She dropped her head and walked away finding her way back to me. After telling me what happened she said, "It's in Cuba. When the heck am I ever going to get the chance to go there?!" I hugged her and we left the park.

Fast forward to the night we arrived after a very long travel day to Cuba. Our driver was taking us to the house we would be staying in and talking to us about the area. As we passed a grassy area one of the other artists asked, "What's that?" He responded, "Oh that? That's John Lennon Park." Jessica looked at me and we couldn't believe it- it was less then a block from where we would be staying the next 15 days.

The next morning we walked over to the park and there was John Lennon, sitting on his bench as if he had been waiting for her, just as she had seen in the picture. Beyond words and alot of emotion she sat next to him. At the base of the statue was an inscription in spanish, "You may think that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."

If anyone would've told us standing in "Strawberry Fields" a few years earlier we would be invited to Cuba as American Artists neither of us would've believed it, it was nearly impossible. Then, to be staying less then a block away from the Park named after John Lennon, with the statue?! Why is this more than just coincidence? Because Jessica had the greatest epiphany. While sitting on the bench she said if she ever doubted that ANYTHING is possible, in that moment any doubt she had experienced in her life disappeared. The only thing she could see was possibility, love...and John Lennon. Each morning on our way to our workshops we passed John and waved and smiled...and dreamed.

As an artist and an educator there is nothing more rewarding then to experience such incredible life changing moments. That is the gift of creativity, "Art creates hope, and with hope anything is possible," all you have to have is a dream...and "create" it into reality.

"You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope some day you will join us and the world will live as one."- John Lennon

An artist doesn't starve...we are actually well-nourished.

In closing over 60 hours at the theater and 5 shows in an incredible opening weekend, I spent my evening with as many ice packs as I have joints and absolute fatigue as the adrenaline wore down...with a smile on my face and joy in my spirit. My creative work isn't just "my job," it's my "life's work." This is the reason I put in 12-18 hour days sometimes 7 days a week. When creating, I never look at the clock in anticipation of leaving or dreading a Monday back in the office. Of course there is much time, energy and investments that are made that don't translate into monetary gain which many people don't understand. Why would I invest so much into something that doesn't pay off? But that's the misconception- it's not about pay-off but a pay-forward and a nourishment that comes each and every time I get to share my creativity. When experiencing art, especially live performance, it gives people the opportunity to connect and be present in that very moment. There is a nourishment that comes from the impact I've made in creating and sharing stories of the human experience. Although I've never experienced it myself, it's like childbirth. As soon as you see the amazing creation and it's tangible, all the pain and sacrifice is secondary to the pure love and purpose that stands on the forefront.

"In the Heights" is an amazing story of love, hope, family and community. There is no greater feeling than knowing every person in the audience will be impacted by not only the performance but each of the artist on the stage bringing their own "person" to their character. Through all the aches and pains-physically, emotionally and mentally- we all face as humans, as an Artistic Creator, I am well-fed.

"In The Heights" The Musical
Fri-Sun thru Dec.22
CASA0101

www.brownpapertickets.com

"All the world is a stage..."

As we get ready to open the Regional Premiere of "In The Heights" at CASA0101 in, Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, CA. I am reminded why I have always loved live performances and why it was so important to me to be part of this Tony Award winning production. It's not often, if ever, the stories of hope, success, determination love and community are told through hip-hop and latin rhythms by a cast of young people of various cultures. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote a story HE could be cast in. I know with each performance we will inspire young people to create art that tells THEIR story regardless of color, culture or socio-economic background. I am inspired every night I have the privilege to be a part of this show. I hope you will join us and experience the love of "In The Heights!"

"I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being."- Oscar Wilde

"In The Heights"
Nov.30- Dec.22 (Fri-Sun)
www.brownpapertickets.com

In the Heights Opens Nov. 30, 2012

In the Heights is an exhilarating journey into a vibrant Manhattan community; a place where the coffee is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. This 2008 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical changed Broadway with its focus on Washington Heights northern Manhattan's predominantly Dominican neighborhood and its blend of hip-hop, merengue, and old-school ballads. With a remarkable young cast and thrilling dancing, In the Heights is a moving, funny, and uplifting story about a community of hard-working immigrants seeking a better life and trying to find their place in a new country. Experience the next chapter of the classic American story with Broadway's most joyous and exciting musical. Buy your tickets now!

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/288020