Sergei Zhgunov Opposes Appointment of Konstantin Bogomolov to MKhAT School-Studio

Sergei Zhgunov expressed disagreement with the decision to appoint director Konstantin Bogomolov as temporary head of the MKhAT School-Studio. The actor joined an open letter from graduates of the institution, addressed to Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova.

The appeal states that the leadership of the school-studio should be carried out exclusively by its graduate to preserve the continuity of traditions.

«The choice of this candidate categorically violates the traditions of succession that have existed in the school-studio throughout its history. The foundation of succession lies primarily in the careful transmission of the ethical principles of the school and the principles of Russian psychological theatre, laid down by the founders and detailed in »Ethics« and other works by Stanislavski. A successor can only be someone who was educated by MKhAT teachers within the school»s walls and has direct roots related to the MKhAT School-Studio,« the document states.

The graduates insist on holding open elections for the new head with the participation of the entire MKhAT community.

Konstantin Bogomolov assumed the position after the death of the previous rector Igor Zolotovitsky, who had led the institution since 2013. Zolotovitsky died on January 14 from throat cancer. Bogomolov himself disagrees with the graduates« position, believing that the entire Russian theatre school inherits the traditions of MKhAT, as it grew out of Stanislavski»s system.