The Russian Arts Theater & Studio

www.russiantheater.org

The Russian Arts Theater & Studio was founded in 2004 by Artistic Director Aleksey Burago and his wife, actress Snezhana Chernova. The couple both graduated from distinguished theater academies—namely, the Moscow Academy of Theater Arts (GITIS) and the St. Petersburgh Academy of Theater Arts. They brought forward their extensive study and experience in hopes of creating a New York theater company that would pass on the rich theater traditions and practices of Stanislavski and Michael Chekhov, as well as introducing lesser-known Russian repertoire to American audiences. Since then, TRATS is the only theater company that has consistently delivered high quality performances of the some of the most beloved Russian writers including Anton Chekhov, Nikolai Gogol, Ivan Bunin, and Mikhail Bulgakov. In recent years, as our audiences expanded and we formed an international ensemble of artists, our repertoire grew to include works of contemporary writers from other regions of the world.

Most recently, the production of Wonder Bread, a new work by ensemble member Danusia Trevino, was awarded the Best Show Award in the 2011 International United Solo Festival. In 2013, TRATS was invited to represent the United States at the 9th Ordu International Children and Youth Festival in Turkey, where the company performed its original play, Billy Bob Boils the Sea, to overfilled theaters of enthusiastic families.

In the 2014-2015 season, we are pleased to launch The Itinerant Laboratory, a program nurturing emerging directors, providing them with resources to workshop a full-length play of Russian origin. Additionally, we are pleased to announce we are on the verge of launching an after-school drama program for children of Russian heritage. This program cultivates an appreciation for Russian folklore and music through the playful platform of theater, encouraging children to creatively engage with each other and culminating into a public performance spoken in Russian.