About Marci Darling

Know more about Marci and the many hats she wears

Marci Darling is a multi-talented individual who has made significant contributions to the world of filmmaking, writing, dancing, teaching, and more. With an impressive array of accomplishments, Marci has established herself as a renowned writer/director.

Marci’s latest project is an award-winning documentary on two sisters, 1920’s burlesque dancers Nita & Zita. Entitled The Nita Zita Project, the film has screened at several prestigious film festivals around the world and picked up several awards along the way including Best Documentary, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, and Excellence in Filmmaking. The film serves as a tribute to her dance partner and soulmate, Kim, who passed away in 2018. The project is a heartfelt love letter, reviving their acrobatic contortionist burlesque act from the 1990s, performed every Thursday night at the Viper Room while simultaneously telling the extraordinary story of marginalized women Nita & Zita, Hungarian Jewish sisters who blazed new trails around the world through their performing, then continued their remarkable creativity throughout their recluse years as outsider artists in New Orleans. The film smashes stereotypes and illuminates a part of American history rarely seen. It will be heading to streaming in 2025.

Marci’s literary prowess is evident through her five bestselling books and her published works in esteemed publications such as the NYTimes, Boston Globe, and Oprah Magazine. Her ability to captivate audiences with her writing has earned her recognition and respect within the industry.

In addition to her writing, Marci is an esteemed educator, currently serving as Adjunct Faculty at Endicott College and Bunker Hill Community College. Her passion for integrating art into teaching strategies has led her to instruct and inspire educators on innovative approaches to education as well as teaching writing and literature. Marci’s dedication to learning is demonstrated by her Masters degree in Education from Harvard, a BA in Creative Writing from UCLA, and a Certificate in Writing from Stanford.

Marci’s involvement in the film industry is extensive, having worked at the Sundance Film Institute and Film Festival, as well as serving on the Short Film Selection Committee for five years. Her expertise and discerning eye have also been utilized on the Short and Feature Film Selection Committees for the Big Apple Film Festival and Boston Film Festival. Her film work led her to direct her first feature.

With thirty years of experience in acting for film, television, and commercials, Marci has established herself as a versatile and talented performer. Her vivacious spirit and dedication to her craft have allowed her to collaborate with esteemed artists and leave a lasting impact on the industry.

Beyond her writing and filmmaking pursuits, Marci is an accomplished performer. As a professional belly dancer, burlesque dancer, and circus acrobat, she has graced stages all over the world for over a decade. Her talent and passion for the arts have allowed her to perform alongside renowned artists such as The Go-Go’s, B-52’s, and Paul McCartney.

When she’s not immersed in her artistic endeavors, Marci enjoys the serene life in her cottage by the sea, where she resides with her two children, two dogs, one cat, and a feline friend who may just be an Ewok in disguise. Marci Darling’s passion, talent, and diverse range of expertise make her a true force to be reckoned with in the world of film, writing, and performance.

Marci the Author

Marci Darling is uniquely qualified to have written her fabulously entertaining mysteries set in New Orleans, based on her many years performing as a professional belly dancer/burlesque dancer/circus performer. Martini Mystery: A Love Letter to New Orleans and The Champagne Scandal: The Spirits Are Calling are part of her Martini Mystery series starring a burlesque dancer-turned-amateur detective. In true New Orleans Style, each chapter begins with a cocktail recipe.

Segueing from her professional belly dance career, Marci Darling attained her writing degrees, and wrote for multiple publications, including the Boston Globe, Oprah Magazine, Louisiana Homes and Gardens, Louisiana Health, Vineyard Style, Martha’s Vineyard Times, Marblehead Reporter, etc.

Her world fell apart one fateful year, and she became uniquely qualified to write a book on surviving grief and loss. That book was Divorce Diva: Navigating Grief and Loss with Hope, Humor, and Chutzpah.

Her healing journey included traveling, and Magic Carpets, Flying Ships, and Moonlit Kingdoms: The True Travel Stories of Marci Darling was written.

Marci the Belly Dancer

Marci Darling worked as the premiere Modern Egyptian Cabaret dancer of the Middle Eastern community in Los Angeles for more than ten years. She has taught and performed all over the world, including Egypt, Africa, Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Mexico. She has danced with many prestigious artists, notably Paul McCartney, the B-52’s, the Go-Go’s, Berlin, and Placido Domingo.

Known for her graceful passionate style, Marci Darling danced as a soloist, choreographer, and company member of the critically acclaimed Arabian Dance Company, Flowers of the Desert, to sold-out crowds at many of the top American theaters including the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Greek Theater, the El Rey and Highways. The dance company also opened for several Middle Eastern superstars including Hakim, Alabina, Ehab Tawfik, and Amr Diab.

She has also performed multiple times with belly dance superstars Jillina, Veena and Neena, Sonia, Ansuya, Dolphina, Princess Farhana, and Mesmera. She performed Persian folklorico dances for several years with Mohammed Khordadian’s Persian Dance Company and has danced many times for the Arabian Royal Family.

Marci Darling organized performers for many high profile parties, most notably the Universal Studios premiere of “The Mummy” with Brendan Fraser. She also danced at the 1999 PETA Benefit at Paramount Studios honoring Linda McCartney, where her dancing was lauded by Paul McCartney. She danced again with Mr. McCartney on his East Coast Tour in 2002, with the Go-Go’s on their West coast tour in 1999, with the B-52’s and Chrissie Hynde, John Taylor of Duran Duran, and many others.

Marci Darling was “Honey” of famed burlesque duo, “Honey and Vermilion” with her soulmate Kim Murphy. They performed weekly for several years at the Viper Room in Hollywood with burlesque legend Catherine D’lish and Oyster Girl Lady Jane, basing their cheeky acrobatic-contortionist-burlesque act on the vintage famous New Orleans sister duo, Nita and Zita.

In addition, Marci Darling has belly danced in multiple films and television shows, ie. The Waltons TV Special, where, in a surreal clip now on youtube, she belly danced for John Boy’s bachelor party.

She is also the creator of wildly popular workshops, empowering women through belly dance to feel beautiful no matter your age or body type.

Marci Darling’s extensive dance training includes more than twenty years of ballet and jazz, as well as several different folklorico styles. Her background in theater includes studying at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute and performances in several award-winning musicals with some of the most prestigious directors and choreographers onstage today. A highlight: performing eight shows a week with award winning artists Scott Wittmam, Marc Shaiman, and Adam Shankman.

Marci the Mom

I’ve often dreamed of being an artist like Josephine Baker, Mata Hari, Anais Nin, or Eartha Kitt: fabulous, glamorous, brilliant, with adventure and sparkles and a wardrobe to match. I want to dance barefoot under the moonlight and swim in the sea, run barefoot through a field of wildflowers during a storm, sing cabaret on top of a piano in a smoky jazz club in a shimmery dress, adopt twelve children from around the world and live in a castle…I want to create and be wild and sprinkle stardust.

I also want to nourish and protect all the children in the world. The greatest delight of my heart and courage soul are my children, and I have devoted myself to raising them with magic. I encourage dance parties in the kitchen, turning the stairway into a slide, building forts, pillow fighting, midnight board games, and jumping on the furniture. (Our couch is an excellent launch pad.)

I deeply believe in allowing my children to unfold into who they are, like butterflies in a chrysalis slowly spreading their wings. Now that they are teenagers, I encourage them to be makers and creators, to forge their own paths where there were none before.

My daughter has started several popular clubs at her school, including a support group for children from split families, a club for allies of racial equality, and she’s currently student body president. My son has just begun his high school journey.

And I get to stand by their sides and marvel at the wonders they are becoming.

Also, I always tell them MOM stands for Monarch of Merriment.

Marci the Education Consultant

While getting my Masters in Education at Harvard and working with children all over the world, I learned many techniques designed to create a world of wonder and tranquility, where parents and educators can truly connect with children in a deep and authentic way.

I am a parent of two fabulous children living in Massachusetts. I have worked with children my entire life, coming from a family of six children with thirty three nieces and nephews.

I have also worked as a teacher and education researcher in Norway, Egypt, Africa, Mexico, and around the United States, giving me a unique perspective on human development across cultural boundaries and different styles of parenting.

In addition, I worked for more than ten years with children with AIDS in the inner city of LA; with children with Cerebral Palsy on Martha’s Vineyard; with teens with cancer at the Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, with homeless children and teenagers from the Foster program in Boston, and I currently work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, granting wishes for medically fragile and terminally ill children.

For the past fifteen years, I have worked intermittently with the award-winning company TeacherCare, helping to design educational curriculum for in-home caregivers for every stage of child development. For the past eight years, I have created and run the most popular after-school classes and summer camps on the North Shore of Boston exploring literature and academic domains through literature, ie. teaching chemistry and Latin through Harry Potter Potions and Spellbooks class; teaching Greek mythology through Percy Jackson Stage Combat and Shield Making Class; and teaching Louis Armstrong and New Orleans Jazz through Magic Treehouse Movement and Music.

Marci Darling Essay Ninja

Learning to write a deep soulful essay can be transformative, unlocking a student’s potential and giving them a toolbox for writing all future essays, both personal and academic. I teach students how to “show and not tell,” how to use specific storytelling, sensory details, active verbs and concrete words to make writing pop. Additionally, I love helping students create a compelling hook and strong conclusion.

As a long-time educator with a Masters Degree in Education from Harvard, I am passionate about helping students write a college essay they love, one that reflects who they truly are.

Over the past twenty years, I have worked with numerous students to help them convey their unique purpose in a manner that will give them the best opportunity to attend the school of their dreams. While no one can guarantee admission, I have successfully assisted students gain admission to their top choice schools, including: Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Vanderbilt, USC, UCLA, NYU, UT-Austin, and top graduate programs and medical schools.