Maria Gnoza is a writer, director, comedian & performer based in Los Angeles. Hailing from Kansas City, Maria moved across the country to see if the ocean was real.

 

Her latest solo show, THE IDITAROD, was nominated for Best Solo Show at the 2024 Hollywood Fringe Festival, along with The StageCrafts Selects award – which recognizes excellence across all StageCrafts venues. The show received an extension for high ticket sales and exceptional reviews.

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In 2023, Maria sold out the Santa Monica Playhouse Mainstage with her one-woman show, IN THE AISLE. She completed her first solo show, KILLING ROAST BEEF, in 2020. Other writing credits include her plays, STOOD UP and GOOSE.

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Maria is an improviser and performs frequently at Los Angeles staples such as The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, The Elysian, and The Broadwater. She performs weekly with her resident house team, DR. KLEEB, at the WGIS Theatre. She’s a regular with the long-standing DRUNK THEATRE COMPANY, getting to travel to national comedy festivals like the San Francisco Sketchfest. Maria recently finished a run at the Westside Comedy Theater with her comedy troupe, STOP THAT MAN. She produces her own comedy showcase, MARIA AND, every month at the Clubhouse Theatre.

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Currently, Maria works for Sony as the Showrunner's Assistant on the upcoming series, S.W.A.T. EXILES. Previously, she was the Showrunner & Director’s Assistant on the Netflix hit, RANSOM CANYON.

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Maria will eat raw eggs in a live show and start a thriller novella the next day. She writes for the stage & screen, for book nerds, and everyone in between. Above all else, Maria values laughter, a strong ensemble, her perfect niece & nephew, and a lengthy blooper reel.