Marika Mashburn is a freelance Actor, Casting Director, and Magician's Assistant, based in Chicago, Illinois. She was raised in a trailer home in the middle of a cornfield near Norman, Oklahoma and trained at Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. There, she began collaborating with friends who later formed The House Theatre of Chicago, where she became a Company Member in 2002.

Marika has performed in, directed and / or cast a couple dozen shows at The House, where she originated roles in Death &Harry Houdini, Hatfield & McCoy, The Magnificents, Valentine Victorious, Dave DaVinci Saves the Universe, and San Valentino and the Melancholy Kid, among others. She created a language, Mashburnese, utilized in both The Magnificents and Death and Harry Houdini (Joseph Jefferson Nomination—Best Production, Midsize). Regionally, she has worked at Lookingglass (Our Town, The Wooden Breeks), The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County (The Sparrow, Death &Harry Houdini), Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Strawdog (Red Noses; Joseph Jefferson Nomination—Best Ensemble), Greenhouse Theater Center, Trap Door (People Annihilation or, My Liver is Senseless, directed by Tracy Letts; After Dark Award WINNER—Best Ensemble), Griffin, Raven Theatre, Barrel of Monkeys, Pride Films & Plays, and others. 

Film: Imperfections, Princess Cyd (v/o)

TV: Chicago Fire, Wordscape (Emmy Award WINNER - Best Children's Television Series)

Commercial: Straight Talk Wireless, Kmart, Stein Garden & Gifts, ComEd, Boost Mobile

Casting credits include The House Theatre of Chicago's world premiere production and Chicago and Miami remounts of United Flight 232 (nominated for 6 Joseph Jefferson Awards; WINNER—Best Ensemble and Best Production, Midsize) and Season on the Line (Joseph Jefferson Nomination—Best Ensemble). Additional credits: Haven, Emerald City Theatre Company, Chicago Dramatists, The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, Riverside Theatre, Filament Theatre, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, The Magic Parlour, The Willary, and Cards Against Humanity.

Marika is a world traveler, having visited all 50 of these United States, all 7 continents and 30 countries (so far), including a year-long stint driving ice road trucks and fronting the continent’s most famous alt-country band, Roll Cage Mary, at McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

Marika lives with her partner, actor Dennis William Grimes, in Rogers Park.  

She is half-Belgian and is represented by Big Mouth Talent.

www.marikamashburn.com