Marisela Barrera is a Tejana writer and teatrista. She has a BFA in Acting from Southern Methodist University and MA/MFA degrees in Creative Writing, Literature and Social Justice from Our Lady of the Lake University. Marisela writes short stories and turns them into transmedia performances. Her work has appeared in The Brooklyn Rail, HowlRound, San Antonio Report, Concho River Review, Latina Critical Feminism, Out in SA, Texas Matters, and The San Antonio Current, among others. She was Artistic Director of Cara Mia Theater, Theater Director at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, and has performed in Latino cultural centers in Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. She has written, directed, and acted in 100+ projects and produced over 100+ cultural events. As an arts advocate, Barrera championed the return of individual artist grants from the City of San Antonio. She spins and eats fire with Jump-Start Performance Co. and teaches writing at Northwest Vista College. Barrera has received artist awards from the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture, the Luminaria Artist Foundation, and the City of San Antonio. She is the Democratizing Racial Justice Artist in Residence for Spring 2024 at the University of Texas at San Antonio.