Karissa Harris

Actress. Singer. Mover-Shaker. Dreamer.

Resume

Resume Pdf

Press

“

“

-RENT at Civic Theatre, PA-

"Karissa Harris is a full-voiced, exotic and sexy Mimi."

---Myra Yellin Outwater, The Morning Call

​

"Karissa Harris "wows the audience." 

---The Press

-Les Miserables

at Civic Theatre, PA-

"Karissa Harris is a sympathetic Fantine"

---Myra Yellin Outwater, The Morning Call

-Passing Strange

at Playhouse on Park, CT-

 "As the muses (and love interests), Skyler Volpe (Marianna) and Karissa Harris (Desi), both fill a void for Youth, albeit temporarily, and do it in a powerful, yet sensitive manner."

---Joesph Harrison, Broadwayworld.com

​

"Karissa Harris is a Harsh Germanic love interest, taking no prisoners."

---Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant

-Dreamgirls at

Maine State Music Theatre, ME-

" Not to be left out, Karissa Harris' Michelle Morris is fantastic, as she steps into her role as replacement in the Dreams.

Her voice, like the other three, will have you wishing the show will never end."

---Scott Moreau, Broadwayworld.com

-Beehive: The 60's Musical

at Theatre By The Sea, RI-

"Karissa Harris was joined by a trio of rocking back-up singers for a Tina Turner set that contained some searing vocals from Harris in “Proud Mary,” and “River Deep, Mountain High.” And Harris had the moves, the way Turner used to quiver about the stage."

---Channing Gray, Providence Journal

-Beehive: The 60's Musical

at Riverside Theatre, FL-

"Karissa Harris sets the stage aflame as Tina Turner. There are many strong musical moments, but Karissa as Tina is truly a  stand out" ---Planetvero.com

"Karissa Harris steals the show with her great, big, full-bodied tribute to Tina Turner. She’s got the voice, the powerful attitude and the physicality of the great singer. You’ll go crazy for her sexy “River Deep” and “Proud Mary.”

---Pam Harbaugh Floridatheatreonstage.com

"Karissa Harris stirred up the audience with her renditions of Tina Turner songs “River Deep Mountain High” and the iconic “Proud Mary,” complete with full length legs and electric hips." 

---Milt Thomas, Indian River Guardian

About Karissa

From a very early age, Harris knew she was going to be a performer.  Born and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania, she grew up watching her father sing everything from love songs to blues and jazz on stage, fronting for an eclectic mix of bands every weekend.  She also loved hearing her Grammy and aunties singing in the local church choir each Sunday.  Awed by their talent, it was only natural that she began singing in middle school chorus before moving on to high school choir.

​

But it was during her freshman year of high school that Karissa saw her first musical production: Godspell.  She was stunned that her peers were not only singing, but also dancing AND acting.  She knew that his was her heart’s desire:  to be on stage.  The very next year she saw her first Broadway show, The Lion King, and her mind was made up.  She would make acting her career.  Months later, she landed her first principal role as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar at Allentown’s highly regarded Civic Theatre. 

Karissa spent three semesters as a Theatre Performance major at Wagner College on Staten Island, New York, before transferring to Muhlenberg College, where she spent a semester abroad studying physical theatre and commedia at the Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy, before earning her BA in Theatre.

​

Harris is now a NYC-based actress residing in Brooklyn, NY, with her little French bulldog, Felony. She enjoys traveling, reading, playing the ukulele, and hiking! An experienced event planner, wedding coordinator, and activist, she also loves 80s rock and 90s r&b, Ben and Jerry's ice cream, and drinking bold and rich coffees.

What's Next?

 May

2020

Karissa will be making her Walnut Street Theatre debut playing Nikki Marron for their upcoming production of "The Bodyguard: Musical" 

April

2020

Karissa will be returning to the Riverside Theatre Stage playing Nikki Marron for their upcoming production of

"The Bodyguard: Musical" 

Karissa is reprising her role of Tina Turner in Florida at Riverside Theatre's production of "Beehive: The 60s Musical.

Oct.

2019

Aug.

 2017

Karissa is elated to announce she will return to Sacramento Music Circus in CA, performing in the theatre's upcoming production of "SISTER ACT"!!!

 July

 2017

Karissa will be spending three weeks at Sacramento Music Circus in CA, performing in the theatre's upcoming production of "9 to 5"

CONTACT

​

or contact:

KARISSA HARRIS

Email:

I'd love to hear from you!

Follow me: