Meet Lisa Skvarla, an actor, martial artist and teacher who brings her passion for the arts and empowerment to the Coeur d’Alene community.
Lisa has always followed her two greatest passions: acting and martial arts.
An accomplished actress, stunt performer and fourth-degree Taekwondo Master, Lisa’s career spans television, stage, film and beyond. She has appeared in productions including “Northern Exposure,” “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” “Wonderland Murders” and the Discovery Channel’s “The Worst Thing That Ever Happened to Me,” along with numerous commercials, stage productions and award-winning independent films. She is also the founder of Playhouse Northwest Acting School, where she teaches the Meisner technique — an acting method developed by Sanford Meisner that emphasizes emotional preparation, repetition exercises and improvisation — and she is passionate about helping artists grow professionally and personally.
In addition to her work in the arts, Lisa is a seasoned martial artist and former owner of Lee’s Martial Arts in west Seattle. She has taught self-defense and rape prevention to women and girls nationwide and once served as chairwoman of the American Women’s Self-Defense Association. Now living in Coeur d’Alene, she continues to inspire through teaching, performing and singing with the Chorale Coeur d’Alene, which will perform at Carnegie Hall in 2026.
1) How did you get into the world of acting, martial arts and stunt performance?
Martial arts came first. When my husband and I moved from a small town near Pittsburgh to Seattle, I experienced an unsettling incident that made me realize I needed to learn self-defense. In 1989, I began training in Taekwondo at Lee’s Martial Arts Studio in west Seattle —the only woman in the class at the time. That decision gave me both confidence and direction. In 2003, Joe and I purchased the school, which we owned for 14 years before moving to Coeur d’Alene.
Acting came in a very different way — it truly was a calling from God. After working behind the camera in production, I knew it was time to step in front of it. I left my corporate job, started acting classes and soon signed with an agent. My very first class led to a role on “Northern Exposure,” where I worked as Janine Turner’s stand-in. That’s where I fell in love with acting. Two years later, I started studying the Meisner Technique, which became a game-changer in my career.
My stunt career began on that same show. While watching a stunt sequence, under my breath, I said to myself, “I can do that.” Unknowingly, the assistant director overheard me and asked, “Can you do that?” When I said yes, he decided to give me the opportunity. My very first stunt aired on national television in a Christmas episode that went on to win an Emmy. From there, I trained formally and became a certified professional stuntwoman.
2) What are some of the biggest projects you’ve worked on and who have you worked with?
Live performances:
• “The Sound of Music” with Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre
• Upcoming performance at Carnegie Hall in NYC, spring 2026
Film and television:
• “Northern Exposure” (John Corbett, Janine Turner, Rob Morrow, Barry Corbin, John Cullum, Adam Arkin, Joanna Cassidy)
• “Singles” (Bridget Fonda, Matt Dillon, Kyra Sedgwick)
• “The Vanishing” (Jeff Bridges, Sandra Bullock, Kiefer Sutherland)
• “Enough” (Jennifer Lopez)
• “Bill Nye the Science Guy”
• “Woodstock or Bust” (Willow Shields, Meg DeLacy)
3) How do you stay safe while working in a high-action environment — what are a few tricks of the trade?
Practice, practice, practice. Start slow and build up. In fight scenes, always take care of your scene partner — safety first. On camera, angles are everything. And remember: As a stunt performer, you’re still an actor. It’s not just about the physicality — it’s about how your character would do it.
4) What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I’m currently writing my first book; I played a superhero and had my own doll; at the age of 15, I saved a 7-year-old from drowning.
5) What keeps you coming back to this line of work?
I love what I do — all of it. It’s never boring. As a performer, I get to be part of telling stories about humanity, and there’s no expiration date on that. I’ve always envisioned myself working well into my 80s. As I get older, though, the most rewarding part is working with children, educating, empowering, inspiring and creating together. Giving back to the next generation is a gift, and I feel truly blessed.
To learn about upcoming classes, you can reach Playhouse Northwest Acting School at 206-919-7407.