9 Russian universities that teach performing arts 

To become a student at one of the theater universities, you must first pass several stages of selection interviews and preliminary auditions. Only then will the lucky few be able to participate in the entrance exams. As a rule, applicants to acting departments prepare a recitation program – a prose excerpt, a poem, as well as a song and movement exercises. Future directors must present a production concept with sketches and a mock-up of the play. Additionally, applicants must pass Russian language exams (except for those admitted under a quota). Education at these universities is taught in Russian.

1. Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS), Moscow

One of the world’s largest specialized universities has been in existence for 148 years. Its eight departments train actors, directors, set designers, producers, theater scholars and choreographers. Acting is, of course, the most in demand – with as many as 450 applicants competing for a single spot! Currently, over 100 international students are studying there.

International applicants to GITIS must first pass a preliminary online audition and submit a video of the reading performance and specialized assignments (for directors, a presentation of the play's concept; for future set designers, an academic drawing project, etc.).

2. Shchepkin Higher Theatre School, Moscow

This is Moscow’s oldest theater school, which preserves the traditions of classical Russian dramatic theater. The Imperial Theatre School was founded by Alexander I in 1809 and the training program for future actors was developed by renowned playwright Alexander Ostrovsky. After the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, its drama department was transferred to the Maly Theatre. Its actors and directors still make up the majority of the teaching staff today.

3. Shchukin Theatre Institute, Moscow

A school of theatrical arts founded by director Yevgeny Vakhtangov, a follower of the Stanislavsky system. The main distinction of this institute is that students work not only with the head of their workshop in which they are studying, but also with all the teachers and instructors in the course. Shchukin teachers advise: prepare several poems (preferably classics), choose excerpts and passages that you like best and, ideally, include both prose and poetry from different genres, so the admissions committee can assess the depth of your talent. And remember, you are about to become part of a team that will be your family for the next four years!

4. Moscow Art Theatre School, Moscow

The final brainchild of Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, co-founder of the Moscow Art Theatre, which preserves and passes on the theater’s traditions. The school has three departments: acting, set design and production. The first round of creative tests can be taken remotely, but the remaining rounds are in-person only.

5. Higher School of Performing Arts, Moscow

Russia’s youngest theater school (only 14 years old) was founded by Konstantin Raikin, artistic director of the Satirikon Theatre. The university has only two departments: one trains future actors, the other theater scholars and set designers.

6. Russian Institute of Performing Arts (RSIPA), St. Petersburg

This is the oldest theater school in the country and was founded in 1779. The institute draws on the best of various Russian theater traditions, from the classical school of the Alexandrinsky Theater and the Stanislavsky system, to the Meyerhold theater and the work of those who carried on their traditions – Mikhail Chekhov, Sergei Radlov and Georgy Tovstonogov.

7. Novosibirsk Theatre Institute, Novosibirsk

The university has been in operation since 1960. Among its founders is Vera Redlich, a student of Konstantin Stanislavsky and chief director of the ‘Red Torch’ Theater. Among its graduates is Andrei Zvyagintsev, winner of the ‘Golden Lion’ at the Venice Film Festival and the ‘Grand Prix’ at the Cannes Film Festival. Future actors and directors hone their skills in the training theater, participating in ‘Red Torch’ productions and major festival programs.

8. Yaroslavl Theatre Institute named after Shishigin, Yaroslavl

Yaroslavl was the birthplace of the first professional Russian theater and its own theater school, developed by Firs Shishigin, chief director of the Yaroslavl Drama Theater. The traditions he established are still being cultivated and nurtured today.

9. Gerasimov All-Russian University of Cinematography (VGIK), Moscow

The world's first state movie school is 107 years old. It’s the only university included on the list of Russian cultural heritage sites. The institute has seven departments: acting, directing, cinematography, animation and multimedia, art direction, screenwriting and film studies and production. Students get to work in the educational film studio, where they shoot at least 120 short movies annually.