MARIA GATSAL

I am a Mexican-Spanish actor, dancer, and emerging choreographer based in Helsinki. My work is interdisciplinary, sometimes independent and sometimes collaborative. It explores how external systems shape our inner and social realities, the body as a site of experience, and the space between connection and emptiness. 

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Acting (NYFA, 2016) and I am trained in the Meisner Technique. As a performer, I have appeared in works presented at international festivals, including Schrittmacher — Just Dance! International Dance Festival and the Berliner Festspiele's Treffen junge Szene. 

 

Artistic CV


AS ACTOR — Recent Work

  • Joyce, East Lynne — adapted & directed by Matthew Paines · NoName Theater (2026)

  • Andromache, Tiger at the Gates — directed by Anastasia Diatlova · NoName Theater (2026)

  • Talia, El Lacayo y La Prostituta — directed by Sven Fernandez · ARBIS Institute (2025)

  • Sofia, Joy The Musical — directed by Sven Fernandez · The Vindängen Hall (2024)


AS DANCER

  • Blue Dress (music video) — for song-writer & singer Inkeri Laine (2026)

  • Joy The Musical — choreographed by Isabella Nystrom (2024)

  • Dance For Two — choreographed by Silvia Verges · Aleksanterin Teatteri (2023)

  • Fragmentos — dancer & choreographer — The Other Side (2024)

  • Border_Shift — Compound Company (2019–2020)

  • Uncanny Valley — choreographed by Lin Verleger · Theater Kerkrade & Berliner Festspiele (2018–2019)


AS CHOREOGRAPHER

  • Kaks Kaja — & dancer — HUMINA ry (2026)

  • Kuinka äkäpussi kesytetään — Helsingin Teatteriakatemia · Teatteri Tuike (2024)

  • Detachment —  & dancer — HUMINA ry (2023)

  • Off Beat — Inkorpora Dance Project · Aleksanterin Teatteri (2023)

RESIDENCIES

  • Summer Residency — Humina ry, Helsinki (June 2026)

  • Community Arts Hub — Monoma Suomi & Mushrooming, Helsinki (Nov 2023–Jun 2024)

EDUCATION 

  • BFA in Acting — New York Film Academy, Los Angeles, (2013–2016)
  • Meisner Technique — with Cathy Giannone, Los Angeles, (2013–2016)


TRAINING

Flamenco · Contemporary Dance · Contact Improvisation · Martha Graham Technique · Dance Improvisation · Lyrical Dance · Jazz · Commercial · Reggaeton · Gyrokinesis · Inter(Acting) with the Inner Partner · Meisner · Taekwondo


LANGUAGES

Spanish (Native) · English (Fluent) · Finnish (B1) · Finnish Sign Language (Beginner, Student) · Italian (Student)


Teaching CV


TEACHING EXPERIENCE

  • Dance Teacher — Inkorpora Dance Project (2024–present)
  • Dance Substitute Teacher — Helsingin Tanssiopisto (2021–present)
  • Dance & Theatre Teacher — Break The Fight (2023–2025)
  • Meisner and Movement Teacher — Helsingin Taidekoulu (2021–2024)
  • Movement Instructor — Bongos Studio (2023)
  • Dance Teacher, Volunteer — COA, Netherlands (2018–2020)


EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION

  • BFA in Acting — New York Film Academy, Los Angeles, (2013–2016)

  • Meisner Technique — with Cathy Giannone, Los Angeles, (2013–2016)

  • First Aid (EA1) — Finnish Red Cross (expiration 2028)