Brianna Messina Runs the New York City Marathon
On November 1, theatrical electrician Brianna Messina will run the 26.2-mile New York City Marathon across all five boroughs, representing Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, as Playbill reported. Messina takes on the race just over a month after undergoing facial feminization surgery, marking her first marathon since coming out as a transgender woman. She is racing with the New York City Roadrunners alongside other members of the Broadway community.
Broadway Career and Community Support
Messina has worked on 16 Broadway shows over a career spanning nearly two decades, including lighting teams for Moulin Rouge, The Cher Show, and currently Maybe Happy Ending. Her theater background began in Long Island, where she operated church production breakers as a child before moving to North Carolina School of the Arts. After college, she toured with the second national tour of Wicked as an advance electrician for four years. Fellow Broadway figures including Patina Miller, Jordan Litz, Erika Henningson, Ellie Fisher, and Merle Dandridge are also running to raise funds for Broadway Cares.
Fire Service Dedication and Family Life
Alongside her theatrical career, Messina serves as a lieutenant and 17-year volunteer in her local fire department, following a family tradition established by her father and uncle. She lives on Long Island with her wife, Diana Rebholz, whom she met while working on Wicked where Rebholz served as the head of props. The couple shares children, having welcomed their eldest daughter in 2013 after settling back in New York.
Marathon Logistics and Registration
Training for the event involved logging 30 to 40 miles a week prior to her surgery, which was rescheduled from August due to an insurance mix-up. Rather than chasing a personal record during her initial recovery phase, Messina focuses on completing the course and representing her community.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brianna Messina’s Marathon Run
What organization is Brianna Messina fundraising for during the marathon?
Messina is raising funds for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS while running alongside fellow theater professionals.
Which Broadway show is Messina currently working on?
She is currently part of the lighting team for Maybe Happy Ending on Broadway, a production known for its high volume of lighting cues.
How long has Messina been a volunteer firefighter?
She has served as a volunteer firefighter for 17 years and currently holds the rank of lieutenant in her local department on Long Island.
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