Biography

Madisen Zabawa is an actress, singer, dancer, model, choreographer and writer. Born in Buffalo, NY and grew up in Rochester, NY, Madisen was discovered in a local showcase at the age of 10, before being sent to Los Angeles to compete in iPop in 2013.

Madisen first felt in love with theatre as a child and started her training and performances in community and regional theatre. Her most beloved role was 'Millie Dillmount' in a community theatre production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie". Her first professional role was playing 'July' in an off-Broadway production of "Annie" at the AlphaNYC Theater. Madisen participated in the Rochester Fringe Festival two years in a row. Being the first to bring the role of 'Jill' to life in "Fairytale Ending: The Big Bad Musical" in the United States was a huge honor for her. Madisen also debuted 'Jennifer' in a new play, "The John Gray Laws" written by local Rochester drama teacher, Michelle Sapere. Madisen also has experience in show choirs and performance troops. Madisen was a featured performer in Rochester's Main Street Players' Five Point Performance Co. from 2018-2019. Performances ranged from local (Lilac Festival, Park Ave Festival, Spencerport Canal Days) to performing in Walt Disney World.

As for film, Zabawa is best known for her work in short films. Two of Madisen's shorts have gone on to win awards. "Dissonance," (2021) where she portrayed 'Kelly', won the award for Best Socially Conscious Film at the Hollywood Global Film Festival. Directors, Jessi Opett and AnnMarie Hubbel, of Madisen's Youtube comedy "Hit Girls," (2020) won the Jack Garner Award for Best Directing at the Rochester Teen Film Festival. Zabawa was honored to accept the award from late Phillip Seymour Hoffman's mother, Marilyn O'Connor, on behalf of Opett and Hubbel, as well as deliver the acceptance speech. A big moment for Madisen Zabawa was when she was a background Bar Patron in Mike Manning's "Slapface" (2021). Though a small part, it was an experience that she will always be thankful to Manning for.

Other credits of Zabawa's include "Y2Koncert" (2021) as 'Hope,' 'Lisa' in "Amerita" (2020), as well as two other short projects produced by Mike Manning, "Goodbye Mama Rose" (2020) as 'Harper' and "Anything for the Part" (2019) as 'Nikki.'

Madisen's talent and abilities don't just stop at theatre and film. She was also featured as a backup dancer for hip-hop music artist Alicia G, in her country pop debut-hit, "Daisy Duke Two Step" in 2022.

Madisen Zabawa's upcoming short film is Jere Bear Films' "Weightlisted" (2022). A comedy based on the 2019 animated short, Zabawa portrays 'Gwen,' the daughter and receptionist of soon-to-be-exposed fat-shaming casting director.
- IMDb mini biography by: Madisen Zabawa