Wicked Star Discusses Disability Visibility in the Arts

Marissa Bode, the first actress with a disability to portray Nessarose in Wicked, speaks on the importance of representation and accessibility in the theater industry.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:21am

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Actress, artist, and advocate Marissa Bode, who was the first actress with a disability to play the role of Nessarose in the musical Wicked, spoke at Boston College about the importance of disability visibility and representation in the arts. Bode discussed her experiences on the Wicked set, where the production went beyond just casting a disabled character and ensured an equitable and accessible workplace for her. She also shared insights on the character of Nessarose and the need for greater disability advocacy both on and off screen.

Why it matters

Bode's discussion highlights the ongoing struggle for disability representation and equity in the entertainment industry. Her experiences demonstrate how productions can go beyond tokenism to truly create inclusive environments for performers with disabilities. Bode's advocacy work underscores the responsibility of all members of society to promote visibility and support the disability community.

The details

During the event, Bode explained how her role as Nessarose changed after she was paralyzed in a car accident at age 11. She handled being patronized by assertively stating, "Guys, I'm the same person. I'm just sitting down." Bode shared that the Wicked production went beyond just casting a disabled character, providing her with a disability coordinator who is also a wheelchair user and making tailored adaptations to the set, costumes, and props to ensure an equitable workplace. Bode expressed respect for Nessarose's struggle for autonomy, noting that as an actor with a disability, "if you truly want to feel like you have autonomy...a lot of the time that looks like separating yourself from [the characters you portray]."

  • Bode portrayed Nessarose in Wicked and Wicked: For Good.
  • Bode was paralyzed in a car accident at age 11.

The players

Marissa Bode

An actress, artist, and advocate who was the first actress with a disability to portray the role of Nessarose in the musical Wicked.

Courtney Elkin Mohler

An Associate Professor of Theatre at Boston College who facilitated the conversation with Marissa Bode.

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What they’re saying

“What changed was more so people's perception of me, rather than my desires and what I actually wanted to do in terms of being on stage.”

— Marissa Bode, Actress (bcheights.com)

“Guys, I'm the same person. I'm just sitting down.”

— Marissa Bode, Actress (bcheights.com)

“I had what I needed to be equitable to my peers.”

— Marissa Bode, Actress (bcheights.com)

“if you truly want to feel like you have autonomy...a lot of the time that looks like separating yourself from [the characters you portray].”

— Marissa Bode, Actress (bcheights.com)

“Anybody can become disabled at any time—I definitely know that.”

— Marissa Bode, Actress (bcheights.com)

What’s next

Bode shared that she is in the process of co-creating a satirical short film titled "Dead Wife Montage" as a submission to the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. She also suggested watching films such as "Crip Camp", "Life After", and "Deaf President Now!" to learn more about the disability rights movement.

The takeaway

Bode's discussion underscores the ongoing need for greater disability representation and equity in the entertainment industry. Her experiences demonstrate how productions can move beyond tokenism to create truly inclusive environments for performers with disabilities, and her advocacy work highlights the responsibility of all members of society to promote visibility and support the disability community.