Theater is a secret that every new generation of fans of stage art is trying to solve. This is an unknown land where passions boil, fortresses collapse, stars are born and illusions die.
The spiritual and aesthetic development of the city is directly related to the life of the theater, its traditions and foundations. Stavropol is no exception in this matter.
Cultural traditions of the North Caucasus
Since ancient times, Stavropol has been a real cultural mecca. The road to the Caucasus continued through this city. In the XVIII century, those lands served as a place of exile for freethinkers, people with imagination, and progressively minded people.
The Decembrists Odoevsky and Naryshkin, exiled, but not broken, breathed the steppe air of the region.
The great Pushkin and the young rebellious Lermontov have been to the city more than once.
The diplomat, writer and composer Griboedov stayed in Stavropol for several days.
The presence of such prominent people could not but affect the cultural development of the townspeople. That is why the Drama Theater came into being so quickly . Stavropol has become a center of concentration of art.
The history of the formation of the theater
A little more than half a century has passed since the founding of Stavropol, when the first attempt was made to open a theater. Unfortunately, the experiment ended in failure, because people far from art were engaged in the embodiment.
Two years later, the effort was a success. Merchant-philanthropist Gonilovsky built a theater building of stone. The house has survived to this day, it houses the House of Officers.
Since 1845, the first Russian Drama Theater has been counting. This year, Stavropol is proud to celebrate the 170th anniversary of its temple of art.
Very soon, the theater gained a reputation as one of the best in the province. The troupe led by Zelinsky, which included the talented tragic actor Rybakov, contributed to this.
The townspeople loved and understood art, but at the same time they were extremely demanding and did not forgive hacks and falsehoods. Young actors from the province dreamed of joining the troupe of the theater for at least a season. It was a great school and a start for the future.
In early October 1910, the troupe moved to a new building. It was built by the Mesniankins, merchants who patronize art. This building has also been preserved to this day, it houses the State Regional Philharmonic.
An integral part of the life of citizens is the Drama Theater. Stavropol supported the development of cultural traditions.
Post-revolutionary years
The repertoire and direction of the troupe's activities radically changed after the revolution. In 1920, the theater was renamed the First Stavropol Theater named after V.I. Lenin. Calls for a new life and the condemnation of old foundations sounded from the scene. Since the late thirties, the word “regional” has been added to the name of the theater.
From the first days of World War II, patriotic plays appearing in the repertoire singing the immortal spirit and power of the Russian people. Performances were almost until the occupation of the city. During the fighting, the theater building was damaged.
In 1944, the forces of the cast formed two brigades for speaking at the front. They played five hundred performances. The centenary fell on the year the war ended. The Drama Theater, Stavropol, all who cherish the cultural heritage of the city, celebrated a significant date.
In 1964, a new renaming - Drama Theater. Lermontov. Stavropol presented the audience and actors with a gift in the form of a new building. It is located on the main square of the city. The neighboring square received the name of the Theater, and a monument to the poet was erected in it. On this stage, performances are staged in our time.
Troupe
Actors are the pillar and pride of the theater. They are the ones who embody the director’s ideas, bring their unique nuances to the vision of roles. Every evening they go on stage and present the audience with their game. Thanks to them, I want to return to the theater repeatedly.
Any team, especially creative, needs a sensitive and talented leader. For many years, E.I. Lugansky has led the drama theater. Stavropol and the theater community in its person received a deeply devoted to art, fair and responsive person.
The theater scene remembers such masters as M. Kuznetsov, V. Danilchenko, M. Kaplan, A. Bokova, V. Menshov, M. Mikhailov, V. Fomenko, M. Yakovenko. In different years they were involved in performances. Served as an example for young actors, gave pleasure to the audience.
Since 1984, the People’s Artist N. Zubkova has been a permanent member of the troupe. She not only plays in performances, but also acts as a stage director. Winner of government awards and prizes. Since 2000 engaged in teaching activities.
Seven theater actors have the title of Honored Artist. Several awarded the rank of leading. Not every theater can boast of its own author. In the Stavropol Theater he is. M. Novakov masterly prescribes the plots and heroes of his plays.
Thanks to the work of these wonderful, dedicated people, the theater is called the Academic Drama Theater. Stavropol honors theatrical traditions of the native land and in every possible way contributes to its development.
New generation
The main cadres for the theater are brought up in their hometown. On the basis of the Humanities Institute, an arts department with an acting specialization has been opened. Leading actors and directors of the drama theater pass on their experience and skills to young people.
In 2015, the fourth set is being prepared for release. Many young actors, by tradition, will remain to work within the walls of their own theater. Future artists were lucky in that the lead teacher on the course was the inimitable N.P. Zubkova.
Repertoire
Today, as before, the basis of the repertoire is composed of classical plays. Spectators cry and laugh at Shakespeare's works. Thinking about the creations of Chekhov, Ostrovsky, Artsybashev. They love and suffer along with the characters of Schiller.
For many years in a row, the hall explodes with laughter and applause during the performances of “Extraordinary Adventures at the Mirandolina Hotel” and “Tricks of Hanuma”.
The troupe is especially proud of performances based on the works of M. Yu. Lermontov. This became famous for the Drama Theater (Stavropol). "Masquerade" and "Hero of our time" will be relevant for a long time. Cruelty, hypocrisy, deception, life choices excite a person of any era.
Modern authors are not deprived of attention, their plays are interesting to the viewer - they inspire optimism, invigorate, give hope for changes for the better.
For each season, the poster is updated with new productions, premieres on the stage of the theater are not uncommon, but rather the rule.
The repertoire of the theater is designed for different ages of the audience. There are performances for the smallest, teenage groups, youth, mature theatergoers.
Opinions leave in the theater book reviews. Many enthusiastic words of admirers and people who first came to the theater can be read on its pages.
Grateful spectators strongly recommend that guests of the city spend a free evening to go to the drama theater. The inhabitants of the capital who came to the performance were surprised at the lack of empty seats in the hall and the amazing play of the actors.
If the theater is a spiritual fortress, then in Stavropol its gates are wide open for all who need wisdom, tested over the centuries, sparkling humor, a fleur of eternal mystery. The management and actors of the Drama Theater of Stavropol are doing everything not to disappoint, but to attract and delight their fans.