Photo: Ernie Sapiro.
Marissa Quimby was a beloved native dancer who touched the hearts of everybody she encountered, on and off the stage. Marissa misplaced her three-year battle to most cancers this September. Full of grace and zest with legs that stretched perpetually, she was charming in up to date works and luminously horny in cabaret items. She was a prolific performer—for a time frame within the 2010s she was in nearly each present on the town. I had the privilege of dancing with Marissa since 2014, and can perpetually be in awe of her devotion to her artwork, her innate glamor, her openness to journey, and her glowing silliness.
Growing up in New Milford, Connecticut, her mother, Diane, enrolled Marissa in dance lessons at a neighborhood studio when she was 5 years outdated, telling her first trainer, “I think she needs ballet.” After one class, her trainer mentioned, “I see what you mean!” After a number of years, and at her trainer’s suggestion, she moved to the School of Performing Arts and Fineline Theatre Arts the place she skilled on a pre-professional degree by means of highschool. After graduating, Marissa labored the New York City audition circuit and ultimately landed an apprenticeship with Donald Byrd’s Spectrum Dance Theater. In 2007, at 19 years outdated and figuring out virtually nobody in Seattle, she moved throughout the nation to start a brand new life.
Coriolis in 2011. Photo Ernie Sapiro.
With Mariko Smithashima in Unfixed Arias by Coriolis. Photo by Brett Doss.
After three seasons with Spectrum, Marissa discovered a long-lasting creative dwelling with Coriolis Dance. In “true Marissa fashion,” she jumped into rehearsal with Coriolis actually the day after assembly Natascha Greenwalt, the corporate’s co-founder. With Coriolis, she discovered each a artistic hub and deep friendship. From 2010 to 2020, Marissa was a dancer, collaborator, board member, and ultimately the Executive Director of the corporate. She was certainly one of 4 core performers for a few years and left an indelible mark on each Coriolis efficiency. Some of my favourite reminiscences of our time along with Coriolis are her fierce “mama swan” presence as she protected her flock in Danses des Cygnes, playing around stargazing aliens collectively in Unfixed Arias, and a tremendous residency in Italy at Anna Conner’s La Figlia Art Retreat. We ate all of the gelato we might, did bizarre dances on the rooftop patio, and marveled on the Italian countryside and Rome’s historic ruins.
Since 2013, Marissa was additionally a member of Alana O. Rogers Dance Company. Though she was nearly a foot taller than me (these legs!), we regularly partnered collectively in Alana’s work. In SIGHT, sporting blindfolds and painted head to toe, we did a duet the place we danced again to again—her butt landed nearly within the small of my again and my head sat within the criminal of her neck.
Other up to date firms she labored with included Rainbow Fletcher’s HYPERNOVA and Beth Terwilleger’s The Gray. She carried out in Chop Shop, Seattle International Dance Festival, 12 Minutes Max, Northwest New Works, and lots of reveals at Velocity Dance Center.
At the Can Can. Photo by Jules Doyle.
Another place the place Marissa’s mark is felt deeply is within the burlesque world. She was a daily onstage at The Triple Door, performing in This Is Halloween, Land of the Sweets, and House of Thee UnHoly. In addition to working with Verlaine McCann Productions, she was a member of the elegant neo-burlesque firm House of Verlaine. She additionally was a part of a tight-knit group of dancers who premiered The Can Can’s first brunch present at Pike Place Market. Some favourite reminiscences from The Can Can crew embrace them barking within the streets dressed as meals from the Market to attract in a bigger viewers—Marissa was the banana. In one memorable quantity, she was a seemingly unhappy mermaid. Her character perked up when Thomas Phelan got here in sporting scuba gear and flippers, however, in a shock twist, she tied a serviette round her neck, pulled out an enormous fork, and ate him.
Right: Mermaid with Can Can. Photo courtesy of the Can Can. Left: Verlaine & McCann’s Land of the Sweets. Photo by Angela Sterling.
Whether it was a foolish mermaid skit or one thing severe, Marissa absolutely inhabited every function. Throughout her profession, she embodied the howling Arctic wind, a vengeful Wili, an attractive snowflake, a sublime area vortex, a foolish area alien yammering in gibberish, a glamorous flower, and a cat in a skin-tight rubber unitard that left solely her eyes seen. Her commanding presence and rigorous approach have been paired with unbelievable pleasure and immense dedication and dedication to her craft.
She did many different initiatives right here and there as artists do. In 2019, she and her Can Can crew choreographed a present for Bohemia Mining Days in Cottage Grove, Oregon that packed the venue to the gills. She was in music movies and photograph shoots. As a mannequin, she was a muse for a lot of photographers, Brett Doss and Ernie Sapiro, amongst them, who captured her magnificence and joie de vivre.
Bohemia Mining Days. Photo by Ernie Sapiro.
Modeling collaborations with Ernie Sapiro. Photo by Ernie Sapiro.
Of course there have been gigs to make ends meet, too—she labored within the eating halls of a number of retirement communities, the place she additionally helped coordinate subject journeys for the residents to look at her carry out. This is the place she met her husband, Chris Eager. Their love and take care of one another was infectious. They have been a complete energy couple, all the time stylish and all the time up for an excellent time. Their annual “Christmas in July party” the place they burn a Christmas tree and set off fireworks is known.
Photo by Ernie Sapiro.
Marissa was actually recreation for something—for experimenting, for leaping in on the final minute, for happening an journey within the mountains. She was continually on the transfer however all the time grounded in artwork and creativity. As she as soon as wrote for her web site, she was “not afraid to make a spectacle of [herself] and dance at Pike Place Market, pose on building ledges, and climb in trees and fountains for an artistic vision”—none of that was hypothetical, she had finished all of it.
To know Marissa was to be her pal. She introduced individuals in and liked generously. Her last days have been surrounded by family and friends from throughout the nation. We had a lovely, hopeful gathering within the fading summer season solar; a joyous celebration of affection and life. We didn’t understand it might be our final one along with her. It’s exhausting to imagine {that a} gentle so vivid is not with us.
Spending a lot time within the studio collectively creates a particular sort of intimacy—I keep in mind the scent of her shampoo, the little hip wiggle she did to maintain her again heat, and the best way she flipped the wrong way up to tie her hair up. I miss all of it. Marissa’s presence will lengthy be felt by this group. It is actually felt by me.
Friends and colleagues have contributed their tales, reminiscences, images, tributes, and letters to Marissa, right here. A efficiency occasion celebrating her life is slated for 2024.
Community Contributions
Natascha and Marissa
Natascha Greenwalt
An excerpt from Natascha’s assertion on behalf of Coriolis Dance:
The grief of shedding Marissa can be stuffed with the magic pixie mud of who she was. I need it to settle into my pores that I’ll maintain on to her in each manner potential. I need the years spent sweating, holding, leaning into each other to remain sticky on my pores and skin. I wish to inhale her devotion, and inclusion and infectious laughter that I’ll exhale her optimism. […]
Her distinctive expertise was equal to her distinctive generosity of spirit, solely ever sort, and galvanizing to all who have been round her. Her dynamic, sinewy siren grace and soulful theatrically lit up each stage she stepped on and our hearts. Marissa will likely be deeply missed.
Read the total tribute right here.
Natascha Greenwalt, Marissa Quimby, and Christin Call.
Photo by Ernie Sapiro.
Christin Call
Some moments of Marissa from the final 12 years:
Rolling out her calves earlier than class along with her custom-made sock stuffed with two tennis balls. Methodically reviewing solo work by way of movies on her cellphone within the nook of the Nest studio earlier than rehearsal began. Saying “Tell us what you want, boss,” to Natascha once we received nitpicky about particulars within the rehearsal course of. Taking a second to finetune eyebrows after rehearsal earlier than heading off to The Triple Door. Legs! Legs! Legs! Watching her sketch the rooftops and hills from the balcony of our residency keep in Fraine, Italy. Pouring a lot balsamic over contemporary Italian components. Chowing down zestfully on burgers, pastas, salads, tacos, you title it. Coming to my artwork studio in Gasworks to put face down for an hour whereas I stamped a damask sample on her again till it was fully lined in black paint. Going round SoDo’s artwalk along with her and Chris, who have been glowing mischievously from changing into engaged earlier that day. The look of disappointment and utter grace she gave me after I confirmed her a really brutal unsent letter that I needed to make use of to create some phrasework from. The seriousness with which she undertook the duty. Her telling me, “I can’t believe how your brain works!” after coming to see my first full-length work as a dancemaker. Fluid, elegant solos at Erickson beaming outwards with earnest sincerity, watching from the wings. Showing up at Wasabi spontaneously after work the place she was a server to seize some sushi and chat. Fourth of July Christmas tree effigies! Leaning again on makeshift pallets along with her to look at the do-it-yourself fireworks present. Itching her again at a marriage when the warmth of the room was making it exhausting to bear. Arriving as soon as when she didn’t understand I used to be coming, and telling her she will be able to go cover within the bed room whereas I clear. Her laughing and hugging everybody and elevating a plastic cup of champagne within the yard, a toast with all her family and friends there to have a good time her life.
A nonetheless picture from videographer Warren Woo.
Alana O. Rogers
Marissa,
Alana O Roger’s work. Photo by Ernie Sapiro.
It’s been about 6 weeks since we mentioned goodbye. What they are saying is true, grief actually does are available in waves. You just about shocked us flat on our ft like an atomic bomb while you left. We have been floored. The manner you gave us that glimmer of hope that we had extra time, hosted that tremendous backyard celebration, hugged us every, then departed quietly with out a phrase, felt like one way or the other you knew the entire time that it was goodbye. I keep in mind you saying to me as I left your own home that night time, “are you sure you have to go?” If solely I had recognized. Carpe diem. Hindsight 20/20. Yeah.
And then you understand, I had this present factor, that one you have been so enthusiastic about, and I had no selection however to fling my complete physique again into it, my thoughts, my spirit, my soul. You knew the eagerness of all of it. You lived that keenness. So I did that, simply as you’d need me to do. The present was nice, let me let you know, the dancers have been fierce and so they embodied all the pieces I had imagined and extra. It was all the pieces. The solely factor lacking, was you.
I talked to the viewers about you on the final night time, in a microphone (!!), are you able to imagine it? I made everybody cry. I wager you have been watching. Afterwards, individuals shared their pleasure across the choreography and shared their condolences of our lack of you. It was like this loopy marriage of the entire corners of my coronary heart, multi functional place.
And then the present was over. And as you understand, as a performer, you anticipate that wave of loss that comes when a show-run ends. It’s the next-level Mondays. But this time, my wave of loss was all Marissa. As the times went on, your being gone sunk in deeper and deeper, the cuts have been opened again up large, burning. I discovered myself swiping uncontrollably by means of images of you in rehearsal and on stage, watching movies simply to be nearer to you and your smile. Your power. Your artistry. Those are the methods I’ll keep in mind you. Not the model of hell you lived by means of. Not what it took away. None of us needed to confess that you just have been sick. I nonetheless don’t.
Several days later, perhaps longer, I got here again during the last images I had taken of you within the hospital. After days of soaking myself in all of the rosy pictures of you in well being, it actually sunk in, simply how far most cancers had taken your physique, how a lot it had stolen. In that second of overwhelming shock, I additionally felt the strangest factor, the tiniest speck of elation.
You. Were. Free. From. Cancer.
All that you just had fought towards, you had lastly smothered out. Maybe loss of life is the last word fuck-you to most cancers an individual may give.
No extra ache.
No extra capsules. No extra infusions.
No extra dashed hope. No extra limbo.
No extra fatigue.
No extra nostalgia for what was.
No extra itching.
No extra watching your family members damage.
No regrets.
No extra.
Of course, it’s exhausting for us to see that aspect of this. We miss you. I’m making an attempt.
I’m so grateful to have recognized you. I’m so grateful to have shared a lot with you. We received to share sacred area within the studio. We CREATED collectively. We received to share the stage and the lights. We shared lipstick. We shared meals. I received to satisfy Chris. I received to satisfy your loved ones and associates. I received to be current at your huge occasions. We received to snicker collectively and giggle uncontrollably. We received to cry. We received to embrace. We received to take a seat in awe at artwork and life and love.
This listing is longer than I can write right here. It is immense. I’m so grateful. Thank you for making such an indelible mark on us all.
Thank you.
Promo photograph for Alana O Rogers Company. Witty Pixel Photography.
Jana Kincl
Marissa and I have been by no means tremendous shut however I felt our spirits all the time aspect by aspect. I considered her usually and all the time needed to be extra in her life. Could I do it by osmosis? I attempted. I danced subsequent to her, round her, I adopted her round in rehearsal. I hoped that her pleasure, motion and delightful vitality would switch to me so long as I stayed in shut proximity.
I attempt to reside life as a result of hers was lower brief. I hike to tall locations as a result of I can. I admire the magic of the universe. Her shortened life is just over if we let it. Physically she has dissipated into the magic and fantastic thing about this loopy planet. I’ll get pleasure from life, push myself, expertise new issues and really feel all the pieces. That is what she desires or my interpretation and my technique to grieve the cruel actuality. I’m so fortunate to have shared area in our lifetimes collectively, to have met and danced with Marissa. I’m honored.
Marissa,
Your presence is absorbed into the sunshine.
The moments of the day that glow.
Your bodily absence sadly made the wonder develop.
It is the primary contact of the solar.
The alpine gentle that makes the mountains blush and run.
Clouds that create all of the layers and moods away.
It is the autumn colours on a crisp sunny day.
I see you in all of it.
I’ll proceed to see you be aside of it.
You will remind me to take advantage of it.
Karena Birk
I simply hold fascinated by what number of extra years of dancing I’ve had than her (I feel I’m about 12 years older now than she was at analysis), and the way unfair it’s – she ought to have had these years too. And we must always have all gotten to experience her dancing for these years. She was the one who seemingly had all the pieces – incandescent expertise, intelligence, humor, kindness, generosity, mannequin appears, and a love story that will be unbelievable in case you didn’t comprehend it was actual. And she ought to have had it for many years to return. And I’m indignant that she didn’t. It’s simply not proper.
Marissa Quimby in Victoria McConnell’s work for Abbey Grown.
Film nonetheless by Brad Curran.
Victoria McConnell
I feel I used to be a bit bit intimidated after I first encountered Marissa Quimby, most likely in ballet class with Coriolis. Her well-known legs, dancing capacity, and appears would cease anybody of their tracks. But all that potential angst instantly flies out the window — she is so beneficiant, open and fast to snicker. I’m so grateful I had the prospect to bounce alongside her, watch her carry out, get to know her, and that she even danced in my very own choreography as soon as. I keep in mind she was so affected person and current in rehearsals for Arc and Arrow, as I used to be growing her specific dance character, whereas looking for my very own creative voice within the course of. When we have been filming some scenes outdoors in gray, chilly Discovery Park, she was a hero. Dancing barefoot on sand, repeating takes for the digicam, she introduced the imaginative and prescient to life. It was all the time enjoyable working alongside her performing for Alana O Rogers, whether or not partnering or getting painted head to toe and blindly dancing our butts off. Of course there have been ups and downs, however I keep in mind her as a dedicated artist and mover, residing life as absolutely as potential. Marissa is a very glowing human, liked and full of affection.
Robbi Moore
Marissa is someone I want I had the prospect to get to know higher. I feel that we might have actually clicked if we had had that likelihood to get to know one another extra. I didn’t meet Marissa till 2019, in Danses des Cygnes with Coriolis. I keep in mind the challenges of that course of as a dancer, desirous to match the vitality of the piece, as a result of it had already been created and I knew I used to be coming into an in depth knit group of individuals. So I’m desirous to do my finest and am nervous, and I appreciated Marissa’s kindness when working by means of partnering. It was an honor to bounce along with her, for certain. Her fierce Amazon goddess vitality in that piece as mama swan was unforgettable.
Robbi and Marissa
She was very humble, and such a beautiful mover. She had no ego, was not afraid to confess when she didn’t perceive one thing. She was simply from her coronary heart.
In 2019, I met her husband and associates, and was invited to the July celebration—they instantly welcomed me into the crew. That felt actually particular to expertise that, principally the final one earlier than what would inevitably occur. I knew her to be an excellent particular person—who lived her life with kindness and generosity. She had such an impression on me, and I noticed our relationship as nonetheless being in its beginnings.
Kaitlin McCarthy
Marissa Quimby by no means failed to go away an impression. The top, the approach, the legs-for-days. Watching Marissa dance was watching her absolutely embody and embrace her energy. The sort of quiet ferocity that lights a small flame of terror within the intestine. Or she’d activate the appeal and use her powers to please and scintillate. Her athleticism all the time at hand, she appeared equally at dwelling within the magnificence of House of Verlaine because the strangeness of Coriolis’ extra avant garde work. Her artistry all the time commanding an actual possession of the stage.
Off-stage, Marissa appeared impossibly glamorous. She was so elegant, trendy, and self-possessed, I all the time felt like an ungainly teenager a “real adult,” despite the fact that we have been related in age. My social intimidation was rapidly eased, nevertheless, once we have been briefly in the identical Alana O. Rogers work and I received to see Marissa within the rehearsal room—right down to earth, playful, and welcoming. A tough employee and group participant who was clearly a trusted and beloved collaborator. She will likely be significantly missed within the Seattle dance scene.
Modeling collaborations with Ernie Sapiro
Ernie Sapiro
I met Marissa on a mannequin web site and he or she talked about dance and that was it. Marissa principally opened the door for me. I shot Marissa greater than anyone. Sometimes she would simply name me or I might name her and say hey what are you doing? Let’s go take footage. And so we might. She was all the time down for it. One time I referred to as her and mentioned hey, meet me on the Pike Place market at 6 o’clock on Sunday morning and let’s go take footage and he or she did. So many tales, so many footage. It’s exhausting to imagine that she’s not right here anymore.
In work for House of Verlaine. Photo by Isobella Bloom.
Lily Verlaine
why you might be so beloved
is in no way a thriller
to me; the nuances of you
that contact us all
in numerous methods, are, and have to be
deeply treasured
to each certainly one of us,
as you might be
the perfect components of us all; introduced
to life.
Statement from Verlaine McCann Productions:
In Loving Memory of Marissa Quimby
We are heartbroken on the passing of Marissa Quimby, an impeccable artist who graced our lives and our work. To name her sort, self-possessed, attractive, hard-working, and beneficiant would merely be scratching the floor of who she was, each onstage and off. She was additionally a real pal, ally, and partner-in-crime, all the time prepared to assist and all the time prepared for an journey. Her uncommon, refined grace charmed everybody who met her, and her enthusiasm for artwork and dance was overflowing. Her high-kicks have been monumental, all the time accompanied by her superb grin.
Marissa was a glowing standout on our phases from 2015 till her courageous battle with most cancers commenced in 2020. Even after her analysis, she labored her magic behind the scenes. We are sure that her spirit will proceed to encourage generations to return.
Verlaine & McCann Land of the Sweets. Photo by Angela Sterling.
We love you, Marissa, with all our hearts. Your gentle sparkled so brightly and went out earlier than its time. We are infinitely grateful for all of the items you gave us: your artistry, your kindness, and most of all of your friendship and love. Our ideas are with your loved ones and your fantastic husband, Chris. We’ll miss you all the time.
9” x 11” Watercolour. By Janice White.
Holly Hodson
I carried out with Marissa for a number of years in Land of the Sweets and House of Verlaine.
My mother involves my reveals and has seen her dance many occasions.
Marissa was by no means something however sort to me.
I instructed my mom this and all the pieces else about Marissa that made me so heartbroken she was gone.
My mother was very touched by the kindness Marissa confirmed me and everybody else fortunate sufficient to cross her path. She needed to contribute to honoring her reminiscence.
Painting contributed by Janice White
Lara Seefeldt
I postpone writing one thing for this piece for a very long time as a result of it’s unattainable for phrases to seize the total breadth of shedding Marissa; maybe they aren’t designed to hold that sort of weight, and sharing the reminiscences I’ve along with her publicly feels too private and never private sufficient. Simultaneously.
I feel one of many causes Marissa is liked by so many is as a result of she liked so many people. She possessed this magical capacity to attach with individuals in a novel and real manner that made your relationship along with her really feel particular. I’ll all the time admire her for that. And you don’t have to achieve deep inside the Seattle dance group to search out somebody who was profoundly touched by her artistry on stage and her friendship off stage. I’m certain that these of us left behind will all the time save her spot on the barre.
Paris Original
My overwhelming realization/sentiment is that her presence in Seattle dance was felt in nearly each nook of its existence.
I’m so grateful for her presence in my life, each personally and artistically. Everything about her was a beaming ray of sunshine that introduced heat and pleasure to each undertaking she was concerned with. She was so deeply embedded within the Seattle efficiency group that I see the imprint of her reminiscence in all the pieces I do. Every present I’ve labored on and firm I’ve danced for this season, she was as soon as part of.
I really feel so fortunate to have been part of so many initiatives along with her. We danced collectively at Spectrum, Coriolis, and for Alana. For Can Can Productions, House of Verlaine, Verlaine and McCann Productions. Having each been tall, leggy blondes, she is going to perpetually and all the time be certainly one of my dance twins.
Tory Piel
I don’t must go on about how Marissa was lithe and charm. Like a blade of grass or an arrow mid flight. Stoic and calm even below duress, trustable to her core and dependable as fuck. I do know anybody who stood in a room along with her for 5 seconds or was fortunate sufficient to witness her onstage would know all of that.
What they could not know is how that sunflower of a human might rework. From Miss America poise to goofy, gawky, gangly, gorgeousness, laughing at herself the entire manner.
This is certainly one of my favourite ideas of Marissa, and I go to it usually, not simply because she’s gone and I miss her however as a result of it’s a reminiscence I really like. One of the souvenirs I cut price with God to maintain round after I’m within the dementia ward on the outdated people dwelling.
Marissa is within the Triple Door dressing room. We are on present quantity twenty one thing of an extended Burlesque Nutcracker run. We have at this level enacted Christmas cheer for 1000’s of individuals throughout a number of weeks of a Groundhog Day like schedule of two reveals a day. The air is steamy backstage and plastic snow has taken over each nook and cranny. Marissa is topless per normal, awaiting a fancy dress change. Her lengthy legs drip down into her bedazzled present heels. An outdated, folding chair offends the fantastic thing about the second because it sticks to her good ass. But none the much less she is attractive and pristine and will fulfill each moist dream ever had.
She is nevertheless doing this factor she all the time does. And particularly at this time, after so many hours sitting subsequent to her on this tiny dressing room, the delirium has taken over. After so many shuffle ball modifications and so many kick strains and so many cocktail olives that we steal from the bar I can lastly see simply how unbelievable an oxymoron she actually is. As her sleek, lengthy fingers rapidly but delicately rifle by means of her pink package and caboodle, she transforms earlier than my eyes.
She’s on the lookout for a favourite Bobby pin or a runaway earring little question. But the best way this specimen of a virtually good girl rummages by means of her make up package like an obnoxious squirrel hiding away nuts for an extended winter has me in awe. She is so transfixed at her mousy little job at hand she doesn’t even discover me watching her. A scratch right here, a scratch there, on and on and on. Not actually conducting something, simply rummaging to rummage.
Many minutes go by and I’m rendered speechless. What moments earlier than was a classic Playboy dream of boobs and legs and pores and skin is now a rabies crammed animal you’d discover at a park.
Eventually she feels my eyes on her and nonetheless mouse-like turns her head ever so slowly to take a look at me.
“What?” She says with a smirk as a result of she is aware of this dichotomy is without doubt one of the finest issues about her. She is each goddess and animal.
And then we break into that huge true laughter that we love. That snicker of hers, golden and heat. That snicker that I now play movies on repeat simply to listen to. That snicker that would encapsulate the entire universe all of sudden, clever and sage but child-like and free.
How grateful I’m to have spent so many hours laughing with you Marissa Quimby.