The Rock Island and Silvis Public Libraries present “Beyond the Screen – A 'Wicked' Conversation with Marissa Bode" -- October 21.
Tuesday, October 21, 7 p.m.
Presented by the Rock Island and Silvis Public Libraries
On October 21, Wicked fans can expect a magical virtual evening as Illinois Libraries Present and the Rock Island and Silvis Public Libraries host the film's breakout sensation in Beyond the Screen – A "Wicked" Conversation with Marissa Bode, an evening with the actor who made her feature-film debut as Nessarose in director Jon M. Chu's Academy Award-winning blockbuster.
Twenty-five-year-old Bode was born in Mazomanie, Wisconsin. At the age of 11, she became paralyzed following a car crash, and has since had to use a wheelchair for mobility. She started acting at school and starred in local productions, with her first role being that of an orphan in The Prince & the Pauper. She went on to graduate from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and in 2022, it was announced she would play Nessarose, Elphaba's sister and the Wicked Witch of the East, in the Wicked film adaptations. For this feature-film debut, Bode made history for being the first wheelchair user to play the character, who also uses a wheelchair. Bode shared with diva-magazine.com her excitement for the role and for being able to represent disabled women of color in the film: "To be that representation for not only disabled people but disabled people of color is so exciting and so surreal."
She also praised the accessibility of the Wicked set, finding it to have been designed with a wheelchair user in mind. The set had a disability coordinator, Chantelle Nassari, who is also a wheelchair user, who would visit sets before Bode to anticipate any issues Bode might have around the set so they could be fixed beforehand. Director Chu stated that making the set accessible was "one of the most enlightening and beautiful processes I've ever gone through. You need accessibility, not just when we're on set behind the scenes, but you need to present accessibility in Oz itself." For her performance, Bode received several nominations as part of the film's ensemble cast—which includes Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum—and with her inclusion in the film's Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture nomination at the 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards, she became the first-ever wheelchair user to garner a nomination in any category at the SAG Awards.
With her online conversation on October 21, the program will explore Bode’s early inspirations and performances, leading up to her portrayal of Nessarose. As the highly anticipated sequel Wicked: For Good approaches, we’ll reflect on what makes the story so meaningful to Bode and audiences around the world. Bode will also share personal stories and insights from her time on stage, the challenges and rewards of being part of an iconic production, and what the future holds for her career.
This virtual event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
The virtual program Beyond the Screen – A "Wicked" Conversation with Marissa Bode will take place on October 21, participation in the 7 p.m. event is free, and more information is available by calling (309)732-7323 and visiting RockIslandLibrary.org, and calling (309)755-3393 and visiting SilvisLibrary.org.
