Marjo-Riikka Mäkelä
Founder of Chekhov Studio International & MR-Method©
Private Coaching
Michael Chekhov Technique
Advanced Scene Study
Advanced On-Camera / Mastering Your Close Up
Chekhov on Set
Directors Circle (members only)
Intimacy Director for Film/TV & Stage
Marjo-Riikka Makela (SAG, AFTRA, AEA) is a director, world renowned acting coach, a professional actor, Certified Trauma Support Specialist, Trauma Recovery and resilience Coach, and Intimacy Director & Coach, for Film/TV and Stage. She has specialized in a variety of different acting techniques, but the Michael Chekhov Technique is the one closest to her heart. She has further developed MR-Method©, embracing the Michael Chekhov Technique, Non-Violent Communication, somatic & trauma informed methods, Trauma and resilience work, Intimacy Direction and other consent based practices. She is currently working on her own book about the method, techniques and her teaching philosophy. Marjo-Riikka has been an inspired practitioner of the Michael Chekhov Technique for the past 25 years, and has studied with several direct students of Mr. Chekhov, as well as collaborated with many other wonderful fellow artists on the field. She is a long-standing member of the Michael Chekhov Association, and is a teacher in MICHA’s Teacher Training Program.
Marjo-Riikka’s favorite directing credits include many Anton Chekhov plays, Shakespeare, Schiller, Tennessee Williams, and an abundance of devised work. She has taught at the Stanislavsky Institute and School of Cinema, Brazil, The National Theatre, Finland, California State University Long Beach, Acting Corps Studios, ActorFest, Chapman University, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, The Insurgo Theater Movement, The Actor’s Movement Studio, the INTAR Theater in NYC, The Actors’ Gang, University of Southern California, and CalArts MFA programs. Marjo-Riikka is a current faculty member at the Finnish National Theatre Academy in Finland, and an honorary member of the Stanislavsky Institute, Brazil.
As an actor, some of Marjo-Riikka’s favorite roles include the lead role Medea under the direction of David Bridel for the California Repertoire Company, Yelena, in Uncle Vanya, under the direction of Rachel Chavkin, at the Classic Stage Company in NYC, and Pippi Longstocking at Kemin Kaupunginteatteri in Finland. Marjo-Riikka also fondly remembers her studies and stage work with Sarah Kane and Andrei Malaev-Babel at the Stanislavsky Theatre Studio in Washington DC.
Marjo-Riikka does weekly private coaching for many successful TV and film actors and directors*. She has coached actors for films and series such as Blade Runner 2019, Ripper Street, Peaky Blinders, The Office, Silicon Valley, HER, Togetherness, Reunion, 10 Year Plan, True Blood, Madmen, CSI, Californication, Mentalist, Castle, Nip Tuck, Alphas, Body of Proof, Ghost Whisperer, Entourage, How I Met your Mother, General Hospital Night Shift, Bones, Numb3rs , Deadwood, in Treatment, Vampire Diaries … to mention a few. She has clients around the world, and 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. Marjo-Riikka has volunteered as a helper for Equestrian Therapy for children and youth in Finland, and as a teacher of acting she volunteered with the Young Story Tellers, and the Actors Gang, in Los Angeles. Marjo-Riikka is a Certified Trauma Support Specialist (Arizona Trauma Institute), and has a Mental First Aid certifications from the Association of Mental Health Coordinators and National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
“Being allowed to teach, learn, share, play, discover, and create each day, is a true blessing. THANK YOU all my students, clients and friends. YOU are highly appreciated!” ~ Marjo-Riikka
Jack Turner
Chekhov on Set
Audition Taping
After studying Psychology at the University of Oxford, Jack moved to San Francisco where he worked for Google for five years. During that time he enrolled in a local acting class, which heavily featured Chekov technique, and he became addicted to the craft.
Since moving to LA in 2012 Jack has worked in film, TV, commercials, and voiceover. His first movie was "The 10 Year Plan", playing love-sick romantic “Myles”. He also starred in multiple Hallmark and Lifetime movies. Jack also appeared on “Stitchers” (Freeform) for two seasons as the mysterious bad guy Liam Granger, and played "J.R.R Tolkien" on "D.C Legends of Tomorrow", the first time the writer has been played on TV.
Jack’s teaching of Chekhov technique is centered around its practical application. Crystallized, quickly-evoked techniques that lead to ease, confidence, and beauty. Everything is directly applicable to moments on set and audition technique.