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The history of the Theatre Union of the Russian Federation (Russian acronym: STD) dates back to the time of establishment of Compassionate Actors' Benefit Society in 1877. It was Russia’s first organization for artists. In more than 100 years of its existence the association lived through many changes and acted under different names. Currently the Theatre Union is the Society’s legal successor with a membership of up to nearly 25 000. It acts as the umbrella organization for 75 local branches in different regions of the Russian Federation with headquarters in Moscow.
Objectives And Goals
STD activities aim at comprehensive promotion of the development of theatre and performing arts in Russia in the entirety of its forms with an emphasis on rendering special assistance to regions that are geographically remote from Russian and European “cultural centres”.
Cultural Policy
The STD adheres to the principles of positioning of theatre and performing arts as one of the most significant components of the cultural policy. Having at its disposal precise information about the state that Russian theatres are in, the STD acts as a mediator in solving problems theatres face in their dealings with the state or municipal structures. Thus in 2005 the Theatre Union launched an all-out campaign to prevent the Russian government’s bill on to toughen control of budget funding of theatres from coming into legal force, which could have led to a massive disbanding of theatre companies. As a result, the draft was returned to the government for revision.
Social Aspect
The STD is not a trade union in the generally accepted sense of the term, yet its activities certainly have a social aspect – STD members can count on allowances, preferential health service and rest at the resorts affiliated with STD.
Funding
Main sources of STD revenues are membership fees, earnings of its affiliations, including health resorts, rest homes, manufacturing theatrical cosmetics, from sponsorship and target grants for selected programs from the federal government and the RF Ministry of Culture.
Std Grants And Scholarships
Annually the STD gives nearly 70 scholarships to young theatre specialists and more than 50 grants to theatre professionals from different regions of Russia for study trips – mainly to Moscow and St.Petersburg.
Artistic Programs
The great majority of theatre festivals in Russia are held with the support of or under the aegis of the Theatre Union, which renders assistance in organisation, programming, inviting speakers and theatre critics, establishing and maintaining contacts with partners abroad, information support and partial funding, etc. Aside from that the STD regularly holds conferences, exhibitions of theatre set and costume design, seminars, workshops and master classes given by leading theatre professionals. Special STD committees and departments act for the purpose. They are engaged in work related to different types and aspects of theatrics as follows:
• Drama theatre
• Musical theatre, opera, ballet, contemporary dance
• Theatre for children and youth, puppet theatre
• Amateur theatre
• Scenography
• Theatre criticism
• Dramaturgy
• Directors guild
• Theatre management
• Professional education
• Department for the Coordination of STD branches in RF regions
• Centre for support of Russian-speaking theatres in CIS and Baltic Countries (long-term programme supported by the federal government)
The Summer School is addressed to all Young (up to 35 years old) Professional Actors with Basic Knowledge of Russian. Please note that while fluency in Russian is not required for the Classes, Basic Knowledge of the language is absolutely essential.
Organizer will cover all expenses as of accommodation, meals, applicable performance tickets, local transportation, and other eligible expenses in Russia. Participants must cover their International Travel, Visa and Insurance costs (organizer will assist with obtaining Russian Visas).
Click here for more details on International Summer School for Young Theatre Artists
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