Konstantin Bogomolov to Lead Moscow Art Theatre School-Studio

Director Konstantin Bogomolov has been appointed acting rector of the Moscow Art Theatre (MKhAT) School-Studio, Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova announced. Before Konstantin Bogomolov, this position was held by Igor Zolotovitsky. The actor died on January 14 from throat cancer; he had headed the acting school since 2013.

«I thank you for your professionalism and devoted service to your cause, and also express gratitude for your contribution to the preservation and enhancement of Russia»s cultural heritage. I wish you success!« she wrote.

Konstantin Bogomolov already heads two Moscow theaters — the Theatre on Malaya Bronnaya, and since June 2024, the Roman Viktyuk Theatre, which he renamed to the «Melnikov Stage».

At the same time, the Moscow Art Theatre School-Studio has not confirmed Bogomolov«s appointment as acting rector, writes the Moscow news agency. Currently, the duties of rector are being performed by Vice-Rector for Finance Elena Vasilyeva.

A cryptic message appeared on the Telegram channel of Bogomolov«s wife — journalist Ksenia Sobchak.

«Today is a very good day,» she wrote and added a winking emoji to the message.

MSK1.RU attempted to contact Konstantin Bogomolov to learn about his plans for the Moscow Art Theatre School-Studio, but the director did not answer the correspondent«s calls.

What Bogomolov Is Known For

Konstantin Bogomolov was born in 1975 into a family of film critics. At a young age, he began writing poetry, and by 15, he started publishing his work in literary journals.

In 1997, the future director graduated from the Russian Philology department of the Philological Faculty at Moscow State University (MSU), and after that, he enrolled in Andrei Goncharov«s course at the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS). Bogomolov staged his first play in 2002. From 2007 to 2012, Konstantin served at the Oleg Tabakov Theatre, where he directed productions such as »Fathers and Sons« based on Turgenev, »The Trial« based on Kafka, two versions of Chekhov»s «The Seagull,» and more.

After that, Bogomolov joined the Chekhov Moscow Art Theatre, where he served from 2012 to 2018. Simultaneously, he became a teacher at the Moscow School of New Cinema and was a jury member for the literary prize «NOS» (New Literature). In 2017, he became the chairman of the jury.

Bogomolov«s productions were also staged at the Lenkom Theatre. On its stage, he directed plays like »Boris Godunov« based on Pushkin and »The Prince« inspired by Dostoevsky»s «The Idiot.» In 2018, Konstantin Bogomolov debuted as a film director. His first project was the series «Soderzhanki» (The Kept Women) starring Sergei Burunov, Sofia Ernst, and Darya Moroz.

Currently, Konstantin Bogomolov is the artistic director of two Moscow theaters. In 2019, he was appointed to this position at the Theatre on Malaya Bronnaya — he had long wanted to head it. In an interview with Channel One, the director said that he wants to tell interesting stories from the stage that will hook the audience.

First of all, Konstantin Bogomolov planned a rebranding. The Theatre on Malaya Bronnaya changed its logo, as well as the design of posters and the website. And they began concluding fixed-term contracts with actors — agreements for a specific period.

Since 2020, at the Theatre on Malaya Bronnaya, the director has staged 10 plays, including «The Demons» based on Dostoevsky, «Hamlet in Moscow» inspired by Shakespeare«s play, »The Seagull with a Continuation« based on Chekhov»s «The Seagull,» «The Death of Tuzenbach (Tuzenbachi surm)» from «Three Sisters,» and more.

In 2024, Bogomolov was also appointed artistic director of the Roman Viktyuk Theatre, from where Denis Azarov left for unspecified reasons. Here, the director also began his work with a rebranding.

The transformations started with a rename: the Roman Viktyuk Theatre became the Theatre-Stage «Melnikov.» The new artistic director decided to immortalize the name of the constructivist architect who designed the building of the cultural institution. However, not everyone liked this. Theater enthusiasts created a petition demanding Bogomolov«s removal from the position.

Bogomolov also removed a number of productions from the repertoire, which greatly outraged audiences. In response, the director stated that the theater must change and not turn into a museum. At the end of 2024, the Melnikov Stage was merged with the Theatre on Malaya Bronnaya; now, tickets for plays at both venues are sold on one website.

Earlier, reshuffles took place in Moscow museums. Olga Galaktionova left her position as director of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts to head the Tretyakov Gallery, and her place was taken by Ekaterina Pronicheva. It was her younger sister Elena who had been running the Tretyakov Gallery until today. MSK1.RU detailed her path.