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We are proud to design your life through art.
The CHEKHOV INSTITUTE is an international hub where cultural and educational organizations — as well as individuals from around the world — can access the methodological and aesthetic foundations of the Russian acting-directing tradition, centered around two great Chekhovs: playwright Anton Chekhov and actor Mikhail Chekhov.
Expert Board
Members of the expert board oversee the compliance of the content of our projects with the statutory goals and take part in events as invited mentors
- Adolf ShapiroTheatre director, playwright, professor. From 1962 to 1992 he headed the State Theatre of Young Spectators of the Latvian SSR. In 1990 he was elected President of the International Association of theatres for Children and Youth (ASSITEJ). Professor at the Riga Conservatory, Honorary Doctor of the Shanghai Theatre Academy. Author of the book “How the Curtain Closed.”
- Wang XiaoyingTheatre director, doctor of directing. Former Executive Vice President of the National Theater of China, Former Vice Chairman of the Chinese Theatre Association, Doctoral Supervisor of the Central Academy of Drama, Adjunct Professor of the Shanghai Theater Academy. He has published academic monographs «From Hypothetical to Poetic Imagery» and «Reflections on Theater».
- Tobias BianconePoet, Writer, Director General of International Theatre Institute ITI (2008-mid-2025), initiator and President (since 2015) of the ITI-UNESCO Network for Higher Education in the Performing Arts, which is part of the UNITWIN Chairs and Networks of UNESCO). In hia work for ITI, the ITI-UNESCO Network and many artistic and educational institutions Tobias Biancone’s continuously put a strongest accent on the artist and artistic values.
- Lembit PetersonEstonian actor, theatre director and teacher. He has worked in Estonia's main theatres, also in Spain, France and Poland. He is known for productions of Shakespeare, Calderon, Chekhov and plays by contemporary playwrights. Since 1995 he has been Artistic Director of the Tallinn theatre “Teatrum”. He has worked as Professor and Head of the Department of Performing Arts at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.
- Sara NalbandyanRector of the Yerevan State Theatre and Film Institute (Armenia). Scriptwriter (Armenia Public Television) and Associate Professor (Chair of Cultural Studies) at the Faculty of History of the Yerevan State University. Chef-dramaturg at the State Theatre “Hamazgayin” (2010-2011). Academic Degree PhD in Theatre Studies
- Yuri ButusovTheatre director and teacher. In 2011-2018 he was the chief director and artistic leader of the Lensovet St. Petersburg Academic Theatre, in 2018-2022 - the chief director of Evgeny Vakhtangov Theatre. For many years he taught at the directing department of GITIS, and is the head of the acting and directing class. Winner of numerous prizes and awards, including the Golden Mask Award and the Stanislavsky International Award. K.S. Stanislavsky.
- Penko GospodinovBulgarian actor, director and professor. He has more than 70 roles in theatre, films and TV shows, many of them award-winning. Since 2009 he has been teaching acting at the National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts (NATFIZ). Course director, associate professor-doctor. In 2021 he was elected Dean of the Department of Performing Arts. Vice-Rector of NATFIZ.
- Gesher Theatre’s Director General (Israel). Lena received an MA in theatre management and in stage directing from the Moscow Theatre Academy, and worked in leading russian theatres. In 1991 she came to Israel and became assistant director to Gesher’s Artistic Director and directed: Medea (2005), Design for Living (2006), The Elder Son (2007), Office Romance with the collaboration of Yevgeny Arye (2009), Othello (2015) and Martyr (2016).
- Benjamin MooreA New York City-based theatre artist, Designated Linklater Teacher, and voice, speech, and acting coach, and director of EdArts — a training center for public-sector professionals. The former Dean of the School of Visual & Performing Arts at Long Island Univeristy, he serves on the faculties of City University of New York, The Linklater Center for Voice and Language, and Terry Knickerbocker Studio.
- Dmitry KrymovA theatre director and teacher, known for his innovative, design-centric style, sometimes called “theatre of the artist,” He has been hailed as “one of the world’s finest theatermakers” (New York Times). In February 2022, Dmitry Krymov left Russia for the USA. He opened the Krymov Lab NYC theatre laboratory in New York, and the experimental theatre La MaMa became the residence of the director's new project.
- David ZinderIsraeli-born actor, teacher, director and author ("BODY VOICE IMAGINATION: A Training for the Actor" and "DreamWork: A Training for Directors"), Master Teacher of the Michael Chekhov Technique, a founding member of the Michael Chekhov Association (MICHA) in the United States, and a member of Michael Chekhov Europe (MCE) with a PhD (summa cum laude) in theatre from the University of California at Berkeley (1976). David has directed over 50 productions.
| Yunnan Theatre Academy (Kunming, China) and "Chekhov Institute" conclude 35-day theatre directing program with acclaimed performance of Anton Chekhov’s comedies On June 19, the small theatre of Yunnan Theatre Academy was filled with both the joy of success and the sadness of parting, marking the conclusion of a 35-day masterclass. This joint initiative by Yunnan Theatre Academy and “Chekhov Institute” was supported by the university’s International Cooperation Department and the academy’s leadership, faculty, and students. The program represented a significant step toward the internationalization of theatre education in China and focused on integrating classical traditions with innovative teaching methods. Under the motto "Classics · Innovation · Traditions", the course trained talented young theatre directors and actors using a practice-based curriculum. Alexander Kalinin led the program, bringing his expertise in acting and directing pedagogy. Thirty-one selected participants—students and postgraduates in directing and acting—underwent intensive training over five weeks. The course was structured in three phases: foundational training, creative rehearsals, and final performance preparation. Kalinin introduced participants to Stanislavsky’s “action analysis” and Meyerhold’s “biomechanics,” encouraging a unique blend of psychological realism and theatrical grotesque. Three of Chekhov’s one-act comedies—The Jubilee, The Bear, and The Proposal—were reimagined into a new production titled "Chekhov. Three Smiles." The production incorporated traditional Chinese folk music, creatively bridging Chinese and Chekhov's theatrical cultures. Kalinin emphasized the goal of reinterpreting Chekhov’s texts through a modern lens, aligning with the academy’s vision for cultivating globally minded theatre professionals. Over the three stages of the course, students gained deep insights into character motivation, scenic rhythm, and expressive movement. The premiere, held on June 17, received an enthusiastic response from a full house, with long applause and praise for the actors' nuanced performances. The production stood out for its balance of humor, emotional depth, and physical expressiveness, deeply engaging the audience. |
NUREYEV. Ballet Musical.
A unique musical and dramatic show dedicated to the creative path of the great dancer of the 20th century Rudolf Nureyev, in which his most famous dance parts will be reproduced. Author of the libretto and director – Viacheslav Shiryaev. European premiere – April 2026.
ONLINE TRAINING
A Digital Academy for actors and directors, where you can study from anywhere in the world. Watch short lessons by Vladimir Baicher, the Academic Director of the Chekhov Institute, complete practical homework assignments, send your videos to hello@chekhov.institute, and receive feedback with a detailed review of your exercises. Only practical exercises based on the Chekhov Method can truly develop your creative potential!
A Digital Academy for actors and directors, where you can study from anywhere in the world. Watch short lessons by Vladimir Baicher, the Academic Director of the Chekhov Institute, complete practical homework assignments, send your videos to hello@chekhov.institute, and receive feedback with a detailed review of your exercises. Only practical exercises based on the Chekhov Method can truly develop your creative potential!
CHEKHOV DIGITAL
Watch Vladimir Baicher's lessons and do your homework. We will send you an analysis of your videos.
BURGAS, 1 — 14 September
Over the course of two weeks, leading European and American professionals conduct 100 academic hours of master classes, training sessions, and lectures. During this time, actors, directors, and students from around the world will have the opportunity to master the "Chekhov Method" and the "Stanislavski System", enhance their professional skills, gain additional advantages in building their careers, and create a stage production (a performance piece) that will be presented to a theatrical audience. More...
Submit your application for participation.
Over the course of two weeks, leading European and American professionals conduct 100 academic hours of master classes, training sessions, and lectures. During this time, actors, directors, and students from around the world will have the opportunity to master the "Chekhov Method" and the "Stanislavski System", enhance their professional skills, gain additional advantages in building their careers, and create a stage production (a performance piece) that will be presented to a theatrical audience. More...
Submit your application for participation.
The main goal of our team is to preserve and enrich the creative legacy of Konstantin Stanislavsky, Michael Chekhov, and Anton Chekhov through global expansion. We aim to fully unlock the potential of all theater and film professionals by engaging with this unique creative phenomenon. In recent years, the interaction between the global cultural scene and the Russian acting and directing school has almost completely ceased. The Chekhov Institute provides a unique opportunity to master the full body of knowledge and skills that form its essence—now beyond Russia’s borders and accessible anywhere in the world.
VLADIMIR BAICHER, Academic Director
Co-organizer of the International Michael Chekhov Workshop (Russia, Germany, England, Latvia). Certified teacher of the Michael Chekhov acting technique. Director and laureate of Russian and international festivals. From 2006 to 2017, artistic director of the "Chekhov Studio". From 2014 to 2020, dean of the Directing Faculty at the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts – GITIS. Honorary Professor of the Shanghai Film Academy.
For actors, directors, students, writers, and playwrights in Europe, Asia, North and South America, we offer a variety of educational programs on Michael Chekhov's acting and directing method and Anton Chekhov's dramaturgy. For universities, academies, theaters, and production companies worldwide, we offer partnerships with the Chekhov Institute, enabling them to elevate their training of theater and film professionals to a new level and increase their chances for a successful career.
Outside of Russia, there is no equivalent or alternative to our hub. At the Chekhov Institute, we have gathered not only educational content and a methodological foundation, but also the people capable of creating any project based on this—from digital to scientific. We not only teach and assist others in teaching but also conduct research, advancing the entire body of knowledge and skills we will share with everyone. As Michael Chekhov said, “One must commit to long and hard work; the reward will be the discovery of one’s individuality and the right to create through inspiration.”
Development program
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Chekhov DigitalMultilingual online training programs under the guidance of leading masters in the acting and directing professions, with homework and tests, intensive moderation of the educational process, milestone assessments, and exams for program sections. -
Chekhov NetworkA transnational network of workshops, seminars, and laboratories (based at leading global venues) to master the creative method of Russian realistic theater and relevant techniques for its integration in the context of modern theater and cinema production. -
Chekhov ResidenceA permanent residency where the development and implementation of programs for the professional training of students takes place, as well as the promotion of graduates in the international market. It is also a platform for international forums on fundamental issues of industry development.
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Chekhov Institute
+370 669 20 867
hello@chekhov.institute
hello@chekhov.institute
