About

Rina Hajra-Gjoka is an actress, filmmaker, and educator.

Rina’s roles include Vera in the award-winning film, My Sekret War, Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Alice Bloomfield in Zoot Suit, Mrs. Alexander in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, and Pancha Garcia in The House of Spirits, and various film and theatre projects.

Her award-winning film, My Sekret War (Los Angeles Film Awards, Phoenix Film Festival, Dea Open Air Festival in Albania, etc.), chronicles the life and redemption of a young child of the Kosovo War. In 2019, Rina Hajra directed a new play as part of the SAHAR SPEAKS program at the interdisciplinary and acclaimed Wexner Center for the Arts. She is a Global Arts +Humanities Society of Fellows grant recipient for cross-disciplinary research on film and social change.                   

In 2023, Rina will debut her documentary, Kept Promise, about the phenomenon of the rescue of Jewish refugees in Albania during WWII.   

Rina holds and MFA in Acting (with a focus on the creation of new works) from The Ohio State University, and she is an adjunct professor of theatre. Her specialties include the Linklater voice technique, acting, filmmaking, and devising new work. Her previous research includes breath work, the actor’s voice, mental health and drama therapy, and social justice.

Rina is passionate about telling important stories, and she believes that film and theatre can deeply impact individuals, and in turn, change the world.