Marissa May Macaraeg Martinez is a playwright, zine-maker, and arts advocate born and raised in East San José. Since 2007, she has written plays, short stories, and poetry inspired by her experience as a second generation Latina-Filipina. She writes about identity, growing up, mental health, friendship, and fruit with the goal of expressing herself and representing her communities, emerging artists, and youth.

Marissa earned a B.A. in English and Theatre Arts from Santa Clara University and has been featured by EASTSIDE Magazine, Contemporary Asian Theater Scene, La Raíz Magazine, Sampaguita Press, More Más Marami Arts, CONTENT magazine, and Bindlestiff Studio. During the day, Marissa is a nonprofit communicator and enjoys ice cream, decorating her planner, and watching live theatre.

Marissa’s recent plays include staged readings of Now It’s A Party (Contemporary Asian Theater Scene, 2025), stonefruit (Santa Clara University, 2024), and your twenties (More Más Marami Arts, 2023) and a production of Joyful Wedding TBD as part of Bindlestiff Studio’s 2025 Love Edition . She continues to write plays about alebrijes, grief, farmworkers, and following your dreams.