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. She is a world renowned acting and directing coach, intimacy director, trauma support specialist, and the founder of the Los Angeles based Chekhov Studio International, and the MR-Method©. She is also a long time faculty member both at the Finnish National Theatre Academy, and MICHA. Marjo-Riikka’s favorite directing credits include many Anton Chekhov plays, Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, and an abundance of newer devised work. Short list of her teaching credits include MICHA, International and Teacher Training workshops, The Finnish 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.  On top of her MFA in Acting, Marjo-Riikka has a practical nurse degree (Finland) with specialization in mental health, and an MA level Equestrian degree with practice in Equine Facilitated Therapies. She is a Certified Trauma Support Specialist, and Trauma & 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.