Irina Mak
Irina Igorevna Mak
Date of birth – July 3, 1970
City – Vinnytsia (Ukraine)
Language – Ukrainian
Activity – theater and film actress
Becoming an artist
Irina Mak is a Ukrainian theater and film actress, Honored Artist of Ukraine. The future star of the big stage was born in Vinnytsia. Interest in the sphere of culture and creativity appeared in childhood. Irina was fond of ballet. This continued until the girl got to the performance “Swan Lake”. It was then that she heard the pointe shoes dully hitting the stage floor – and the charm of ballet dissipated. The girl suddenly realized how much effort and physical endurance the profession of a ballerina requires. Since then, the dream of dancing to exquisite music has given way to acting.
From an early age, Iryna would organize improvised concerts: in the yard, at her neighbors', and even in the village when she visited her grandmother.
After the eighth grade, she entered one of the best vocational schools in Vinnytsia, where she learned the profession of outerwear seamstress. The school director turned out to be a true connoisseur of art. Thanks to the enthusiasm of the head, dance, music, and theater groups operated at the educational institution. It was in the theater that the People's Artist of Ukraine Anatoly Mykolayovych Ovcharenko taught. An actor with bright charisma and a talented teacher was famous among fans of professional art. Ovcharenko became Iryna's first mentor in the world of the stage.
Creative path
Sometimes the theater group's performances were performed on the stage of the Vinnytsia Theater. Iryna would visit there even after graduation. She watched her mentor's rehearsals with interest. During one of these visits, she met the director of the Zhytomyr Theater by chance. Irina was offered a role. To get acquainted with the play, the girl went to Zhytomyr. And when she returned to Vinnytsia, she told her parents about this offer. Her mother supported her daughter. The encouragement of a loved one was a blessing for Irina.
The talented actress worked at the Zhytomyr Theater for a little over a year. During this time, she played about five main roles. Irina Mak was actively involved in premieres and introduced into the repertoire. Her skill and popularity grew, but it became clear: without professional education, it would be difficult to move forward and gain recognition from a wide audience. Therefore, Irina decided to enter the I. K. Karpenko-Kary Kyiv State Institute of Theater Arts.
She started studying at the age of 20. The course was led by People's Artist of Ukraine Yulia Tkachenko. It was Yulia Semenovna who instilled in Irina the skills of a restrained, truthful style of acting. The mentor emphasized that it is important to feel the inner action and avoid pretense. Irina Mak still adheres to these principles.
At the same time, directors were also studying at the institute, where one of the leaders of the theater world, Eduard Markovich Mytnitsky, taught. The artist often invited Irina to watch student productions. Gradually, a lively creative communication was established. The directors willingly took Irina and her classmates into their works. So after completing her studies, the actress already knew for sure: she wanted to work at the Theater of Drama and Comedy.
Conquering the Stage of the Theater on the Left Bank
Irina Mak joined the theater's creative team in 1994. The actress made her debut with the role of Varka in the play "The Enchantress" (based on the play "The Talentless" by Ivan Karpenko-Kary). It so happened that the performer of the main role broke her leg. So Irina was offered to play in the play. She had only 6 days to prepare. But she coped with the role and has since called "The Enchantress" a landmark play for her.
On the stage of the Drama and Comedy Theater, whose works have been repeatedly presented at art festivals, Irina Mak played more than two dozen roles in the plays:
- "I Need You, Gentlemen!" (Manefa);
- "Anything, or Twelfth Night" (Olivia);
- "The Moor of Venice" (Bianca);
- "Marianne's Whims" (Marianne);
- "Let him not love two at once..." (Galina Shenyova);
- "Much Ado in Paris" based on the play "Pan de Poursoniac" by Moliere (Julie);
- "Romeo and Juliet" (Lady Capulet);
- "Don Juan, or Lessons in Seduction" based on the play by A. Miller's "Farewell to Don Juan" (Donna Anna);
- "Warranty 2 years" based on the play "Human Man" by Sirrku Peltola (Anna) and others.
Irina Mak's modern repertoire is represented by the following performances:
- "Cops against Snails" (Aunt Valya, The Beggar);
- "Father" (Anna);
- "Home" (Annie).
Works in cinema
The actress's talent has attracted the attention of directors and producers in the film industry. Fans of various genres of cinema can enjoy Irina Mak's acting in films and TV series. In particular, Iryna Igorevna starred in such works as:
- “The Return of Mukhtar-3, 5”;
- “Life for Two”;
- “Bad Sheep”;
- “I Will Not Give You to Anyone”;
- “Catch Kaidash”;
- “Doctor Vera”;
- “Rhino”;
- “Numbers” and others.
Social Activity
Iryna Maknot one of those who likes publicity on social networks. She talks little about her personal life.
The theme of full-scale war is also reflected in the actress's modern works. One of the key roles was her participation in the series "I am Nadiya". It tells the story of a 22-year-old paramedic who decides to stay in Kharkiv after the invasion begins. Iryna played the mother of the main character - an image full of anxiety, tenderness and strength, which deeply resonates with the realities of today.
Awards and honors:
- victory in the category "Best Actress" for roles in the TV series "Catch Kaidash", "Doctor Vera", "Sniffer-4" (according to the expert rating "Filmed in Ukraine. TV: the best in 10 years");
- title "Honored Artist of Ukraine" (2024).
Interesting facts about the actress
Loyal fans of the actress know that Iryna Mak loves active recreation. Swimming and walks in nature bring special pleasure. She is also fond of extreme entertainment - she cannot imagine life without drive. In 2020, she dared to jump with a parachute from an airplane. She has a weakness for water scooters and even once rode a tank. He says he loves risk and thrills – it gives him the opportunity to feel an adrenaline rush in a different, non-stage sphere.
