Clarissa Lavon

Clarissa Lavon (Roach) was born in Buckeye, Arizona, to Cristie Roach, a Guardian Ad Litem, and John Roach, a truck driver and train conductor. She is of Irish, French, and Dutch decent. Clarissa began acting as a child as a member of the Buckeye Elementary Drama Club in Buckeye, Arizona. She appeared in many productions through her early teens until, at the age of seventeen, after receiving her first standing ovation in the production of Mary Rodgers' "Once Upon A Mattress", she decided to pursue acting as a career. Her parents were very practical people that believed in 9-5 work. They believed in her talent, but wanted her to get a "real job." As a compromise, Clarissa pursued practical skills in welding and costume design (millinery, corsetry, cobbling, leather work, and tailoring), as well as pursuing acting at Souther Utah University and Utah Valley University. She continues her training outside of school. She has work-shopped with Dave Razowksi (Second City), Jason Alexander, and Gabe Greenspan.