Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lisa Marie Summerscales |
| Also Known As | Lisa Summerscales; Lisa Summerscales Theler |
| Profession | Actress, Writer, Producer, Core Energy Coach |
| Born | Circa May 3, 1988 |
| Education | BFA/BA in Theater, Ohio University (Class of 2010) |
| Years Active | 2010–present |
| Notable Screen Credits | Ritual (2013), The Great Indoors (CBS), Conan (TBS), WeAreCNT5 (Go90), Marco Polo (Crypt TV) |
| Training | Groundlings School (comedy/improv) |
| Spouse | Derek Theler (m. September 2022) |
| Children | 1 son, Denali McKean (born January 2024) |
| Base | Los Angeles, California |
| Public Instagram | @lsummerscales |
Early Life and the Leap to Los Angeles
Lisa Marie Summerscales’ origin story is a momentum study. After earning a theatre degree from Ohio University in June 2010, she travelled west. She got a lead role in a Hollywood film in two years, a sprint in a marathon industry. Her undergraduate years of stagecraft and coaching prepared her for horror, comedy, and heartfelt character work.
Career Highlights: Screen, Stage, and Sketch
Summerscales changes genres. Ritual (2013), a Lionsgate horror film set in a confined, psyche-twisting world, was her breakthrough. From there, she added network TV guest parts, late-night comedy, and internet-era enterprises with large fan bases.
Selected screen work:
- Ritual (2013): Lead role in a horror thriller; an early career milestone.
- The Great Indoors (CBS): TV appearance that expanded her mainstream reach.
- Conan (TBS): A brush with late-night’s kinetic comedy pulse.
- Crypt TV’s Marco Polo (2017): Short-form genre storytelling with a modern, viral edge.
- WeAreCNT5 (Go90): Digital-first comedy for a mobile-native audience.
Her comedic chops were honed at the Groundlings School, where rhythm and character precision turn improvisation into a craft. Off-camera, she has written and performed sketches, with recognition for her work in the 2016 CBS Diversity Showcase—proof that her pen is as agile as her presence.
Selected Credits (Snapshot)
| Year | Title | Medium | Role/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Ritual | Feature Film | Lead; horror/thriller |
| 2016 | The Great Indoors | Network TV (CBS) | Guest appearance |
| 2016 | Conan | Late-Night (TBS) | Sketch/appearance |
| 2016 | CBS Diversity Showcase | Live/Sketch | Writer/Performer (“Peter Pan’s Nightmare”) |
| 2017 | Marco Polo (“Underwater”) | Short (Crypt TV) | Performance |
| 2013–2017 | Various sketches/shorts | Digital/YouTube | Comedy and genre shorts |
Writing, Producing, and the Business of Making
Lisa has experience behind the camera. She has over a decade of creative, management, and production expertise. Her line production work requires logistics sophistication and team leadership, which rarely make headlines yet power the industry. Her performing and production skills make her a versatile performer and producer who can handle scheduling, financing, and delivery.
Personal Life: Partnership, Parenthood, Perspective
Summerscales’ friendship with Derek Theler dominates her public life. They started dating in May 2016, engaged in July 2022, and married in September 2022. The birth of their son, Denali McKean, in January 2024 was celebrated with thankfulness and new-parent glow. She keeps extended family offstage, but her personal family—Lisa, Derek, and Denali—represents grounded delight.
Relationship Timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| May 2016 | Began dating |
| July 2022 | Engagement |
| September 2022 | Wedding |
| January 2024 | Birth of son, Denali McKean |
Coaching and Community: Energy, Intention, and Online Presence
The Holding Space Core Energy Coach Summerscales works outside of entertainment. Presence—on screen and off—is the thread: attention, values in practice. Family moments, fitness aspirations, and introspective captions fill her Instagram feed. Her stream focused on milestones—her anniversary, her husband’s birthday, their first year with Denali—with encouragement and humour in 2024 and 2025. Her messages are positive but not airbrushed; you can almost hear the director say, “And again”—in her cadence.
2010–2025: A Snapshot Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Graduates from Ohio University; relocates to Los Angeles; joins SAG. |
| 2012 | Cast in first lead film role. |
| 2013 | Ritual releases; establishes footing in feature work. |
| 2013–2015 | Builds a portfolio of sketches and digital shorts. |
| 2016 | Dates Derek Theler; writes for CBS Diversity Showcase. |
| 2017 | Appears in Crypt TV’s Marco Polo short; continues comedy training. |
| 2018–2021 | Sustains steady screen and sketch presence; invests in personal development. |
| 2022 | Engagement (July); wedding (September). |
| 2024 | Welcomes son, Denali (January); celebrates family milestones. |
| 2025 | Active on social media with family-forward updates and coaching work. |
On YouTube: Interviews, Outtakes, and Short-Form Stories
Summerscales’ digital footprint documents her creative development. Ritual interviews show her preparation for horror’s heightened psychology—how breath, eye-line, and stillness heighten fear. In mid-2010s “car chat” recordings, a professional actor troubleshoots career moves in real time, reminding us that entertainment progresses between auditions. Her humorous wit, which keeps even intense parts from defining her, is shown in short films and sketch outtakes.
Notable appearances:
- Interview on preparing for her Ritual lead (insight into craft and process).
- Car Chat #63 with project updates and candid reflections.
- Outtakes and gag reels that showcase playful set energy.
- Crypt TV’s Marco Polo, a lean exercise in modern monster storytelling.
Style and Strengths
Summerscales uses little choices to make great impact like a stage actor. As a writer and producer, she knows story architecture—how scenes stack and play. Comedy gives her timing; horror gives her restraint. After becoming a parent, her on-screen appearance feels more grounded, like life has provided unfakeable subtext. She creates a career with patience, rhythm, and a focus on the final frame, like a good editor.
FAQ
Who is Lisa Marie Summerscales?
She is an American actress, writer, producer, and Core Energy Coach based in Los Angeles.
When was Lisa Marie Summerscales born?
She was born in 1988, with her birthday commonly marked in early May.
What is she best known for?
Her lead role in the 2013 horror feature Ritual and appearances on The Great Indoors and Conan.
Where did she study?
She graduated from Ohio University in 2010 with a degree in theater.
Is she married?
Yes, she married actor Derek Theler in September 2022.
Do they have children?
Yes, their son, Denali McKean, was born in January 2024.
What kind of comedy training does she have?
She trained at the Groundlings School, known for sketch and improv.
Does she also work behind the camera?
Yes, she writes, produces, and has line production experience on entertainment projects.
What is her Instagram handle?
Her public Instagram is @lsummerscales.
Is her net worth public?
No, financial details have not been publicly disclosed or verified.
