Rina Hajra-Gjoka

Rina Hajra-Gjoka (hai-ra joe-ka) is an actress, filmmaker, and Assistant Professor of Theatre specializing in the actor’s voice, speech, & accent work.

Brief Bio

From vocal coaching productions at UCF and Orlando Shakes to creating award-winning films like My Sekret War, Rina’s work bridges culturally sensitive vocal and speech pedagogy with impactful filmmaking. Rina holds an MFA in Acting from The Ohio State University with a focus on creating new work. Her work aims to champion powerful human stories, cross-cultural research, and the transformative potential of the human voice in theatre and film.

In-depth Bio

Vocal Coaching: Rina has served as a Vocal & Accent Coach at Orlando Shakes, Disney Theatre - Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Nathan Wilson Center of the Arts - Florida State College at Jacksonville, and University of Central Florida: Mainstage Seasons 2025-current, and more. Rina is a Designated Linklater Teacher Trainee with over five years of rigorous training. Incorporating Knight-Thompson Speechwork into her pedagogy, she guides actors toward authentic accent work and a deep phonetic and vocal understanding. She is a proud member of the Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA).

Filmmaking: 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. She is a OSU Global Arts + Humanities Society of Fellows grant recipient for cross-disciplinary research on film and social change.  Her debut documentary, Kept Promise, explores the phenomenon of the rescue of Jewish refugees in Albania during WWII.   

Directing: Her theatre directing credits include a new play with the SAHAR SPEAKS program highlighting Afghan women’s voices at the interdisciplinary and acclaimed Wexner Center for the Arts, and UCF’s new works festival, Pegasus PlayLab.

Education: Rina holds an MFA in Acting (with a specialization in devising) from The Ohio State University. Her research includes breath work, the actor’s voice, mental health, and the Albanian language, with conference presentations at VASTA, ATHE, and more.