This class allows actors to access their imagination and find their character artfully. Any actor that knows how to work this Chekhov method is so well stocked to go out into the world and perform. This class enriches my whole week. read more

If you are searching for an acting class, look no further! Marjo-Riikka Makela is so amazing. I usually don't write long reviews, but I truly believe that she is such a great teacher and that you are missing out if you don't work with her at least once in your life! She encourages, empowers, and uplifts you and helps you to grow. To be honest, you could take a class as a way to unconventionally process through any trauma triggers that come up during class. You can't not grow while working with her. It doesn't matter if it's in person or through zoom. Working with her is great! Her zoom class was so good! You will gain so much valuable information whether you are local or not! She has the sweetest smile and you can really tell that she cares for her students and is invested in helping them to grow. Let this be the review you needed to make the decision to work with the Chekov Studio! read more

I have taken private coaching and also group classes here because Marjo Riikka is such an amazing acting teacher. She works very sensitively and safely (she is very trauma-informed) to bring out everyone's inspired artist/actor. It doesn't matter if you're just starting out or if you're an experienced professional actor, she can help you to hone your craft and be a healthy and happy and successful actor. She goes above and beyond to give all of her students individual attention and you will leave with concrete technique tools you can apply to your auditioning and acting! read more

Marjo-Riikka Makela is one of the best teachers I've ever come across. I could go into super detail but I encourage anyone reading this to experience it for themselves. The Michael Chekhov technique takes the conventional American acting techniques one may be accustomed to in Los Angeles and turns them on its head...but in a good way. A quick google search can tell you all about the work of MC so no need to get into it here. What I will say is: Marjo-Rikka is the perfect teacher for this type of work. She has no judgment and gives you an environment where failure is encouraged. She's not so much a teacher as she is a fellow artist, exploring the character/text with you. I graduated from an acting conservatory in 2013 and for a few years, bounced around different studios trying to find the right fit. Marjo-Riikaa is one of the few teachers that I've really vibed with and I will as long as she still teaching, I will be working with her. :-) read more

Marko-Riikka is a gem of a teacher! So connected to the human experience, you can tell she knows what it means to act truthfully and she gets you there with compassion and creativity. She really listens to what her students need and she is generous and present with her time and attention. It is a very uniquely warm space to work. read more

I will definitely be back to work with Marjo-Riikka at the Chekhov Studio International. I took the 8-week scene study course and saw a huge positive shift in my acting skills. I walked away feeling a sense of confidence in my acting ability that I haven't felt before. Marjo-Riikka provides a positive, consent-based environment where you feel safe to explore and be vulnerable. So grateful! read more

Trying to find a good acting class in Los Angeles can be very challenging. I was lucky enough to find a great acting class! Marjo-Riikka is so amazing to work with! She has vast knowledge of the Chekhov technique and a lot experience using it. I took an 8 week course with her, and the results were more than satisfying. She helps you understand how to use your body to fully walk into your character and live the characters truth. Marjo-Riikka is a wonderful person and amazing teacher! She creates a safe space for all actors to learn and grow! Trust me, I've searched for a great teacher for a very long time. If you don't believe anything that I'm saying, reach out to her, and you will see for self! FYI- Be mindful there are fake negative reviews about this class. Ask any real student of hers and they will happily tell you about their experience:) read more

If you're looking for an acting teacher who is compassionate, wise, and unfalteringly invested in your growth as an artist, look no further than Marjo-Riikka Makela. It is a blessing that I've found Marjo-Riikka, as she has had an indelible impact on my life not only as an actor, but also as a human being. I've never felt more nourished and guided by a teaching figure than I have with Marjo-Riikka, and I've been in academia for most of my life! This is a testament to her sensitivity to her students and to her integrity as an artist and acting teacher. She cultivates great actors by valuing their humanity first and foremost. She respects your depth as a person and the unique gifts/stories you have to offer while helping you reach outside of your comfort zone without needless pressure or pain. The level of safety I felt in her class is unmatched, and I was able to push myself to really satisfying, surprising places. Her training is also trauma-informed, and her certifications in mental health first-aid are clearly apparent in her classes. She is very intentional about protecting students, and I get the sense that most other acting teachers don't do nearly as much as she does. As someone who has a history of trauma, I never felt more safe in my acting and in feeling like I could even challenge myself in areas I wasn't as confident. She's offered me a lot of techniques and skills in regulating myself following difficult moments, and she was very intentional about checking in with me and others throughout training. In regard to the training itself, I've discovered that her adaptation of the Chekhov technique is incredibly empowering and very transformative. I've only recently transitioned into pursuing acting professionally, but I have enough experience to know that embodied acting is foundational to authentic, moving performances. The Chekhov technique is, in my eyes, one of the most comprehensive, complete, and inspiring systems to achieve this depth. The technique leverages the innate wisdom of the body through movement, gesture, form, sensation, visualization, etc. I've explored Chekhov, particularly, because my goal as an actor is to get out of my head. As valuable as text analysis is to this work, getting on my feet and into my body through this system has done so much more for me and my ability to really transform and honor characters. Marjo-Riikka's use of this technique has given me immense agency in my work, and I've never felt limited in where I could go and in what I could find within myself. She has helped me discover the richness within myself, and I can't put into words how much that has helped me both as an actor and as a person. The combination of Marjo-Riikka and Chekhov has simply changed my life. It has made me feel like a whole, living being with a universe of inner experience, and I can't emphasize enough how creatively nourishing and confidence-building this has been. When it comes to the pricing of her classes and what she offers; Marjo-Riikka's rates are very reasonable. I also have to note that Marjo-Riikka is VERY generous with her time and resources. In our Scene Study class, Marjo-Riikka went as far as to offer us a couple additional rehearsal hours with full direction and coaching. She did all of this without charging anything extra. She also offered us tea and coffee every day of class and was always responsive in correspondence outside of class. Now, I encourage anyone who's taking her classes to respect her boundaries and try to offer compensation for any of her time, but I just mention what she has done for us to illustrate how generous of a person she is. She really does take care of her students and is someone who will show up for you! Overall, Marjo-Riikka has been a life-changing figure and teacher for me, and I cannot emphasize enough how rare of a person she is. She is as much of a sage as she is a mentor. She has an uncanny, dare I say psychic ability to reach the depths of your artistry, and she will undoubtedly make you feel more confident and more kind to yourself as an aspiring actor and person. She is a constant resource for me when I need to remind myself of the good that art can do and how transformative it can be for those involved. She helped me realize my love for acting! I honestly wouldn't be where I am right now if I hadn't found her classes. I have been incredibly lucky, and I hope those looking for an acting teacher give her classes a try. read more

Marjo-Rikka is a EXTREMELY skilled teacher and director. Once you study under her, you understand exactly why she's so sought after amongst the top actors in LA and abroad. Her intuitive ability to work with actors is second to none, and her ability to offer one nugget of info that entirely changes a performance is amazing to watch and experience. On top of all of that, she's an extremely kind and warm woman that I've had the pleasure of working with. 5s :) read more

It is a wonderful place to explore Chekhov and get great personal instruction. Marjo Rikka is intuitive, sensitive, and instrumental in an actor's journey to self-discovery and wonderful storytelling. read more

This is tough! I don't know how to write a brief review when I have so many good things to say!! I'll try to summarize. Marjo-Riikka is an incredibly talented and humble teacher. Her energy is so bright and infectious, when you're around her you can't help but be lifted by it. Once she gets to know you she'll begin pushing more and being firm when needed and even though she knows you need it she'll still constantly ask if it's ok that she's pushing you because she doesn't want to push anyone off the cliff. Only to new heights! I've been working with her for a year now, taking almost every class she offers both on zoom and in person. From movement, to technique, to scene study, on camera, on set and more. She's one of my favorite teachers and humans. She has the most humongous heart and cares so deeply for her students, as well as Mother Earth and her many animals. Maybe the Chekhov technique won't vibe with you and you'll seek another technique elsewhere but I guarantee you'll be better off for experiencing her class. And also, she has experience teaching many techniques and a vast knowledge so she will always meet you where you are and she's happy to work the way you'd like to work. I came into her class as a Meisner trained actor and she was able to use Meisner's language to ease me into this new technique and I quickly discovered the two work so well together. I've also recruited some of my friends to the studio and they've all thanked me and wholeheartedly agree with everything I'm saying here. She's the closest you'll every meet to a real life Disney princess. She's my acting fairy godmother and I couldn't be more grateful to have discovered her studio and to call myself one of her pupils. read more

If you're reading this review you most likely have been scouring the internet looking for a quality acting class for sometime now. This can be a daunting task with so many different teachers to choose from. You'll find classes whose teachers have taught some of your favorite acting celebrities, studios that have hundreds/thousands of yelp reviews and classes that your friends have recommended... BUT while you may find all these things, I can guarantee you, you'll never find another Marjo-Riikka or Chekov Studio. Before I delve further into this studio and what it offers let me tell you a little about my previous acting experience... I came to Marjo-Riikka's class with a four-year degree in acting from a well-established college in Hollywood. Likewise, I have taken classes throughout LA from some of the most "reputable" studios and teachers money can buy. However, all of these pale in comparison to the lessons I've learned at Chekhov Studio under the tutelage of Marjo-Riikka Makela. Marjo-Riikka is without a doubt one of the kindest, most genuine, caring, and supportive teachers you will ever find. And while she is all these things, she is also unabashed when it comes to challenging you and helping your actor grow. She knows just what techniques to use and just how far to push to help you reach results. In just the past four months of taking classes here (Technique I & II, Character Development, Scene Study) I have grown tremendously as an actor, with more confidence in my abilities and more creative tools at my disposal than I ever thought possible. This technique works! I have seen and experienced firsthand how the Chekhov Technique can positively transform both scenes and actors to be more engaging, thought-provoking and ultimately better! Marjo-Riikka works to understand you're artist on an individual basis. Regardless of your skill level or acting experience, she will find a way to address your artistic needs & find ways to help you reach your fullest potential. I truly wish all actors had the opportunity to take a class here. It's a fact that speaks for itself, that nearly every single actor attending a class here, signs up for another class to continue their education with Marjo-Riikka & the Chekhov technique. Compared to other studios, classes at Chekhov Studio are considerably affordable as you are guaranteed to be on your feet working and learning the entire time. Likewise, Marjo-Riikka has been known to add additional classes to the schedule free-of-charge when she feels it would be of benefit to do so. I can honestly not thank Marjo-Riikka enough for all she has taught me and I look excitedly forward to all that I have still to learn. If you found this review & are looking for your new acting home, look no further. You found it. & if by chance you're still on the fence about whether or not Chekhov Studio is right for you, I recommend auditing a class & checking it out for yourself! read more

Marjo-Riika is an amazing teacher and person . Shes took my acting to a different level. She gives you so so so many tools you can used in your work. It's hard to put in words how amazing she is. She's brings a different kind of training that Los Angeles don't have. So check her out. Lamar read more

I m in debt to Marjo for so much of my work achievements. She is an amazing teacher and actress. She is so generous and so talented. I have learnt so much from her. read more

I took a total of 8 weeks with the studio. One technique and one mixing technique with scene study. I loved it. Not only did the technique make me a better and more efficient actor as far as connecting with the text and character, but it also complemented very well my former training in Meisner. More importantly the teachers are really wonderful people. They are generous with their time, very kind and give really good feedback. I also loved my classmates. And you get to work every week and not sit half the time. A very safe place to study acting, have fun and be surrounded by loving and positive energy. read more

Marjo-Riikka is one of the best teachers you could hope to work with. I've worked on and off with her for about 7 years, working on general technique, specific auditions, and preparation for movies/TV I've booked. In every area, she, and her teaching of Chekhov technique, excel. She creates a wonderfully open and safe space to work, bringing the best out of actors, and helping them develop in a short period of time - whatever level they are on. Whenever I get the chance, I recommend her to others, and I can't recommend her highly enough. Chekhov technique is incredibly accessible. I love to use it, and also see the effect it has on others' work. It is a technique that truly helps you feel creative as an actor, which is very empowering, particularly when you have limited time to prepare, or limited stimulus in your environment. For that reason it's invaluable on set and in auditions, to help you quickly create and commit to heightened stakes, allowing your work to shine and elevate. read more

Nothing has ever worked for me and been more inspiring than Michael Chekhov's work. I was so excited when I heard about Marjo-Riikka and went to see her production of "The Seagull" ....it was BEAUTIFUL. I now get coaching with Marjo-Riikka for my auditions and feel so fortunate to have her talent, gifts, knowledge of Chekhov, inspiration, open heart and encouragement! What a find!! read more

Searching for a good acting class in Hollywood is like looking for good food in a city you've never been to. It all looks good...but afterwards, when you wake up at 4am with a horrible stomach issue, you're likely to regret that you went to the wrong place. Chekhov Studio International is like a really great secret restaurant that only the locals know about. Marjo-Riikka is a fantastic human being (first and foremost) and an amazingly gifted acting coach. I studied with her for a long time and the skills I learned are the most valuable and fun-to-use tools in my acting bag. Sense memory and all the other American method stuff is great, but in my opinion you would do yourself a great disservice as an actor if you don't also work to unleash the full power of your imagination. The best way I know how to do that is with the Michael Chekhov technique. And the best way to learn that technique is to study at Chekhov Studio International. read more

The safest place to explore your limits and your vulnerability in a supportive, warm environment. There is nothing like this in Los Angeles for actors. In a town full of classes that rip off your money and offer nothing of substance, Marjo-Riikka Makela has brought her extensive knowledge here from Europe, and we are lucky to be able to study with her. I was new to the Chekhov Technique coming from a Meisner background, and I feel like this showed me another way to approach material, which I feel like is important for actors to explore. There is no one way to do anything, so just for the sake of expanding your personal toolbox, this is a great learning place! On-camera classes here are also fantastic! read more

Marjo-Riikka is an amazing teacher. I had two years of really good training before I started studying with her. She can take an ordinary actor and transform that person into a superb actor. I have seen this in my case and in the case of others in all the classes I have taken at this studio (scene study, technique and character & mask). Before studying with Marjo-Riikka, I hadn't felt empowered as an actor. I always felt I was lacking and not capable of meeting the demands of my roles. However, after working with her I feel empowered - in that I understand how to find my way into a role and have also found the joy and fun in my work. Her kindness and her intuitive understanding of what each student needs is what makes her such a fabulous teacher and acting coach. read more

Marjo-Riikka is not only a wonderful teacher and a talented professional but also just an amazing human being. She lights up the room with her inner sunshine every single time you see her. She makes sure that everyone in her class feels appreciated and safe and learns every time. Chekhov Technique is great for getting an actor out of their head and into their body; experiencing instead of thinking. read more

Years of scene analysis had left me with the ability to quickly understand a scene and character but unable to bring my body into it. Working with Marjo-Riikka I've learned how to build a bridge between my mind and body so I can be fully present and available on stage or on camera. The Chekhov technique has taught me so many ways to access my emotions, imagination and artistic instincts, and bring them to my characters. Marjo-Riikka is not only incredibly encouraging but she is extensively trained in this technique. She offers her students so much skill and passion with very little ego. read more

I have experienced a radical transformation in my acting since I started studying with Chekhov Studio in 2009. Unlike so many acting schools, they truly care about their students and give 100% at each class, often going above and beyond what I expected. A few times I have been in a pinch with a last minute audition, and I've always been able to get coaching and assistance from someone on their team. I feel so blessed to have found them and highly recommend taking class with them! read more