Marika Mashburn is a freelance Actor and Casting Director, 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 her House friends, where she became a Company Member in 2002.

Marika has performed in, directed or cast a couple dozen shows at The House, and originated roles in Death and 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), Steppenwolf, The Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami (The Sparrow, Death and Harry Houdini), Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Strawdog (Red Noses; Joseph Jefferson Nomination - Best Ensemble), Trap Door (People Annihilation or, My Liver is Senseless, directed by Tracy Letts; After Dark Award WINNER - Best Ensemble), Raven and Barrel of Monkeys, where she is also a Company Member.

Film: Imperfections, Princess Cyd (v/o)

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

Marika's casting credits include The House Theatre of Chicago's production 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). She has cast for The House Theatre of Chicago, Haven Theatre, Adventure Stage, Chicago Dramatists, Cards Against Humanity and The Magic Parlour and assisted with casting for Riverside Theatre in Iowa City.

Marika is a world traveler, having visited 23 countries, 49 states and 5 continents (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 is half-Belgian and is represented by Big Mouth Talent Inc.

www.marikamashburn.com