Who is Marjo-Riikka Mäkelä?

Marjo-Riikka Mäkelä is a world renowned acting and directing coach, intimacy coordinator, trauma support specialist, and the founder of the MR-Method©

Marjo Riikka is a dedicated and compassionate trauma-informed artist. She brings a unique blend of theatrical expertise and trauma-informed practice to her teaching, creating a safe and supportive environment where students can explore their craft while honoring their emotional well-being. Through her innovative approach, Marjo Riikka empowers actors to harness their inner strength, authenticity, and resilience, unlocking their full potential both on and off the stage.


Trauma-Informed Teaching Philosophy:

Marjo Riikka believes in a holistic approach to acting education that recognizes the impact of trauma on individuals' lives and artistic expression. Drawing from her background in psychology and theater, she integrates trauma-informed principles into her teaching methodology, fostering a culture of safety, trust, and respect in the classroom. By prioritizing students' emotional and psychological needs, Marjo Riikka creates a nurturing learning environment where vulnerability is celebrated, and healing can occur through the transformative power of storytelling.


Curriculum Development:

As a trauma-informed acting teacher, Marjo Riikka designs curriculum and lesson plans that address the diverse needs and experiences of her students. She incorporates trauma-sensitive techniques and exercises that promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, and empathy, allowing actors to connect deeply with their characters and narratives. Through a combination of improvisation, scene work, and reflective practices, Marjo Riikka guides students on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, helping them cultivate resilience and authenticity in their performances.


Mindfulness and Self-Care:

Central to Marjo Riikka's approach is the integration of mindfulness and self-care practices into the acting curriculum. She emphasizes the importance of grounding techniques, breathwork, and somatic awareness to help students regulate their nervous systems and stay present in the moment. By fostering a culture of self-compassion and self-empowerment, Marjo Riikka equips actors with the tools they need to navigate the emotional demands of the craft and maintain their well-being both on and off stage.


Community Engagement and Advocacy:

Beyond the classroom, Marjo Riikka is actively involved in community engagement and advocacy efforts to raise awareness about the intersection of trauma and the arts. She collaborates with mental health professionals, social service organizations, and advocacy groups to promote trauma-informed practices in performing arts education and create inclusive spaces for artists of all backgrounds. Through workshops, presentations, and outreach initiatives, Marjo Riikka works tirelessly to dismantle stigma, foster empathy, and promote healing through the transformative power of storytelling.


Marjo Riikka Mäkelä is not just an acting teacher—she is a champion for trauma-informed education, a catalyst for personal and social change, and a beacon of hope for aspiring artists everywhere. Through her innovative teaching methodology, she empowers actors to embrace their vulnerability, reclaim their narratives, and shine brightly on stage and beyond. With her unwavering commitment to compassion, equity, and justice, Marjo Riikka continues to inspire a new generation of performers to make their voices heard and their stories known, one powerful performance at a time.

Marjo-Riikka is a long time practitioner and teacher of the Michael Chekhov technique, and is specialized in a variety of psychophysical, somatic, and holistic embodiment practices. Her practice is trauma informed, and sensitive, salutogenic approach, by which she has helped thousands of people to find inspiration and feeling of ease in their lives.

Marjo-Riikka does weekly private coaching for many successful TV and film actors and directors*, and has clients around the world.

She has been featured in Back Stage, the Los Angeles Times, American Theater Magazine, Helsinki Times, and several major European publications.

On top of her MFA in Acting and Directing, Marjo-Riikka has a practical nurse degree with specialization in mental health, and an Equestrian degree with practice in Equine Facilitated Therapies. She is a certified Trauma Support Specialist, and certified Trauma and Resilience Life Coach (Arizona Trauma Institute), and has a Mental First Aid certifications from the Association of Mental Health Coordinators and National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

Marjo-Riikka is the founder of Chekhov Studio International, and a long time faculty member at the Finnish National Theatre Academy, and MICHA . Short list of her teaching credits include The National Theatre, and Helsinki City Theatre, in Finland, California State University LB, University of Southern California, and CalArts MFA programs, ActorFest, Chapman University, Loyola Marymount University, and Actors Gang, in Los Angeles, The Insurgo Theater Movement LV, the Actor’s Movement Studio, and INTAR Theater in NYC,  the Stanislavsky Institute and School of Cinema, and Latin American Film Institute, in Brazil. She is an honorary member of the Stanislavsky Institute, Brazil, and a current faculty member at the Finnish National Theatre Academy in Finland, where she teaches acting and intimacy direction.