Lawyer, children’s book author, now an actor? ‘Just doing the things that give me joy’

By Marissa Bañez

I’m a lawyer, children’s book author, contributing writer for several publications, volunteer with at-risk and traumatized kids, and mom. 

And, because I clearly have so much free time, I recently decided to try acting.

In my acting life, I’ve played a holier-than-thou conservative-minded juror, a 1940s-era “rich bitch” named Sugar who likes her champagne and calls everyone “dah-ling”, and an enthusiastic denizen of heaven who plays the guitar (sorry, no harp) and sings a Bob Dylan classic.

Back in 2022, the FilAm published an article about me, referring to my authorship of a children’s book as my “Second Act” (the first being my legal career) (https://thefilam.net/archives/36349).  I said then that while many people ask “why”, I usually say “why not” when it comes to pursuing new and different paths. Failure doesn’t scare me.  Regret – that’s what I don’t when I’m on my deathbed.

Since 2022, I’ve done numerous book readings at many venues in several states, and was even part of the faculty of the Philippine Consulate General’s children’s cultural program in NYC, Paaralan sa Konsulado, for two consecutive summers.

Also since then, I’ve written many socio-political commentaries, essays, personality profiles, and reviews of books, fashion, and art.  Almost all were accepted for publication by The FilAm, as well as by publications in California, Texas, the UK, and an online website with worldwide reach.

Still, once a book reading is done, it’s done.  Once a written piece has been published, it’s done.  A feeling of “been there, done that” ensues, usually followed by boredom.

So, while researching an article about free things to do in NYC (published by The FilAm (https://thefilam.net/archives/43432), I saw a promotion for free acting classes by the New York public library.  It was a rudimentary class but loads of fun.

While researching the same article, I also saw that the Salmagundi Club offered free writing workshops.  Despite having published books and several articles, I’ve never taken a writing class or workshop, so I said, “why not?”

You never know where the paths you take might lead you.

At that workshop, I met a terrific and prolific playwright, who said I could try out for one of his plays.  Apart from wanting to forge a new path just for the heck of it, I had a very practical reason for wanting to try acting; namely, to see if I could still remember lines, especially when “senior moments” seem to be daily occurrences of late.

Our first play was in the summer of 2025.  Set in a jury room like the movie “12 Angry Men,” the cast, playing 12 jurors, deliberated the fate of a young gay man whose troubled life led to his arrest in connection with drug dealing.

A completely different genre, our Christmas 2025 show was a comedic murder mystery set in the 1940s.  Outrageously bawdy and full of not-so-innocent content, it gave a whole different meaning to “Ho-Ho-Ho.”  But it was funny and we got a lot of mid-show laughs and applause.

Our third show in April 2026 was a thought-provoking socio-political commentary on current events, with references to the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota.  While it had some light moments, the very serious message about peace, understanding, and humanity was the driving force of the play.  And, although I’m neither a very good musician (no lessons, can’t read music) nor a singer, I played the guitar and led the singing of “Blowin’ in the Wind.”

Some people are surprised to learn I’m acting on stage now.  But doesn’t everything we do in life involve acting, playing all kinds of roles anyway? As Jacques reminds us in Shakespeare’s “As You Like It:”  “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women are merely players.  They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts”…or in my case, one woman playing many parts.

I’m 68 this year.  Who knows how much more time I have before my exit?  If not now, when?  Why not do things that give me joy and nothing to regret (and bonus – exercise my brain to remember things), while simultaneously making some people laugh, sing, think, or hope? 

What’s the downside? That I look ridiculous or fail?  So what?  If you don’t try for fear of failure, you’ll never know if you can succeed. “And now the end is near and so I face the final curtain…To think, I did all that, and may I say, not in shy way…” 

Oh – just cue Frank Sinatra singing “My Way” already!

Marissa Bañez is the author of ‘Hope and Fortune’ and ‘Hues and Harmony (How the Rainbow Butterfly Got Her Colors)’  and a frequent contributor to The FilAm.