Teachers
"Lionel Walsh, Rena Polley, and Peggy Coffey have all studied with master teachers in the Michael Chekhov Association for many years. They are passionate, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable in the Michael Chekhov technique. I'm sure Michael Chekhov Canada will develop and flourish under their guidance."
— Joanna Merlin, President of Michael Chekhov Association and student of Michael Chekhov
Lionel Walsh
Lionel Walsh is an actor and director and teaches acting and improvisation in the BFA programme at University of Windsor, where is the Director of the Inspired Acting Lab, which explores new exercises in Fantastic Realism. Lionel is a Certified Teacher of the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique (Michael Chekhov Association). He has also trained at the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia. He is a founding Co-Artistic Director of the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium and is co-founder of Michael Chekhov Canada. Lionel is a recipient of the University of Windsor Alumni Award for Distinguished Contribution to University Teaching and the Excellence in Mentoring Award. Most recently, he directed Almost, Maine by John Cariani for the Inspired Acting Lab.
Rena Polley
Rena Polley is a Toronto based actor, writer, producer and teacher. She has worked in theatre, television and film for over thirty years. Rena originally studied with Uta Hagen and Herbert Berghof in New York City. She has been studying with master teachers from the Michael Chekhov Association for over twenty years and has her Teacher Certificate of Completion. She now sits on the board of The MIchael Chekhov Association and is a member of the International Michael Chekhov Studio Co-op of independent studios from around the world. Rena has taught at George Brown College and the Canadian Film Centre. Rena is co-founder of Michael Chekhov Canada and is the Artistic Director of The Chekhov Collective a theatre company inspired by the principles of Michael Chekhov.
Peggy Coffey
Peggy studied with master teachers from The Michael Chekhov Association and received her Teacher Certificate of Completion in 2011. Selected theatre credits:The Chekhov Collective, Toronto Fringe, Alternative Theatre Works, The Stratford Festival, CanStage, Blyth Festival, The Grand Theatre, Persephone Theatre, Manitoba Theatre For Young People, Theatre Pass Muraille, The Shaw Festival, National Arts Centre, Neptune Theatre. Teaching credits include: Faculty- Birmingham Conservatory Stratford Festival; Faculty - Michael Chekhov Canada; Sheridan College; Faculty- St. Clair College Music Theatre and Performance Program, The Foundation for Enriching Education, Theatre Ontario, Dalhousie University. Peggy is the recipient of 4 Guthrie Awards. She studied with Kristin Linklater at The Kristin Linklater Voice Centre (KLVC) in Orkney, 2018.