Malaya Stern Takeda

Malaya Stern Takeda, born on June 19, 1997, in Tokyo, is a talented American-Japanese actress known for her dynamic stage presence and compelling performances. The daughter of an American mother from California and a Japanese father from Tokyo with a deep interest in German studies, Takeda's upbringing in Berlin, beginning in 2000, greatly influenced her artistic journey. Fluent in German but considering English her first language, she attended a bilingual school and developed a passion for acting.

Her formal training began at the Michael Tschechow Studio Berlin from 2015 to 2016, followed by studies at the prestigious Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts from 2017 to 2021. During her time at Ernst Busch, she showcased her talent in various productions, including her role as Penthesilea in 2018 at the bat-Studiotheater and Natella Abaschwili in "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" (2019-2020) at the Schaubühne. Her performance as Gabi in "The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant" at the Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus further solidified her reputation in the theater community.

Takeda gained significant acclaim in late 2021 for her innovative portrayal in a solo recital at the Lausitz Festival, where she reimagined the title role in "Richard III" through a contemporary feminist lens. Currently, she is a valued member of the ensemble at the Nationaltheater Mannheim. In 2022, she starred in the student short film "Spit," earning a nomination for the Max Ophüls Prize for "Best Young Actress," and also appeared in the TV series "Love Addicts" as Zoé. With her diverse talents and dedication to her craft, Takeda is poised for a promising career ahead.