ELISA DE LA ROCHE is an actress, artist and writer who enjoys the creative process. She has a career of theatre, television, film, art, music, dance, and education which spans many decades, playing diverse roles in a myriad of venues. Born in New York City, Elisa travelled throughout Europe, Asia and South America, picking up music, dance styles and languages along the way. She studied art as a child at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. She was a pre-med student at the University of Wisconsin, and graduated with a B.A. in Theater. She earned an M.A. from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in Educational Theatre from NYU. She is grateful for her wonderful teachers, especially A.C. Scott, Steve Sweetland, Patsy Rodenburg, Aaron Frankel, Klara Koenig, Nilimma Devi, Manolo Vargas, and Mr. Lord from MOMA.
Her passions are writing and performing original projects, developing characters, and creating sculptures and collages. Her art work has ben exhibited at a Moscow and Paris galleries (with published catalogue), and her poems have been published in New York. She has written, directed, performed and produced five award winning short films from 2022 through 2026. (See the films on other pages on this website)
Elisa has taught at many schools and universities, as well as artist-in-residency programs. She loved reading to public school children with the SAG Foundation Book Pals, and has published a book and several journal articles. She is a member of the St. Paul’s Chapel Choir at Trinity Church Wall Street. She currently teaches art for University Settlement.
Elisa has children, and grand children, and several ex-husbands.