Vera Poliakova-Makei told how she became director of the Young Spectator's Theater
The actress was offered to choose which theater to head.
Vera Poliakova-Makei. Photo: actress's social media
Actress Vera Poliakova-Makei, at a recent meeting with spectators, told how she became the director of the Young Spectator's Theater in April 2022, writes "Komsomolskaya Pravda".
At that time, Poliakova-Makei managed her private theatrical project "TriTformat". The Ministry of Culture offered the actress to try herself as the head of a state theater. The choice was between the New Drama Theater, the TYuZ (Young Spectator's Theater), and the Gorky National Academic Drama Theater.
The actress agreed, but set two conditions.
"My main condition was that there would be no artistic director in my theater. I just said: "If you want me to lift the theater from the bottom, I am an anti-crisis manager, a good leader." My second condition was that I would be the only director among all to have a flexible schedule.
"That I would continue to pursue my main profession as an actress. But I give my honest noble word that this will in no way interfere with my work as a director," the actress noted.
Vera Poliakova-Makei added: in her opinion, during that period, the TYuZ was in a very difficult situation. The actors there had the lowest salaries in the industry, and the hall occupancy was 24.7%.
"When I arrived, I said: "Tell me honestly, did your friends and relatives attend your performances?" Well, simply put, in terms of percentages, they were really at the bottom."
Before heading the TYuZ, the actress consulted with her husband Vladimir Makei, then Minister of Foreign Affairs.
"This was also a challenge for me. And when I had a choice, my husband brought me three reference notes – objective overviews. With incomes, with hall occupancy... In short, analysis, statistics. And he shows me and says: "Are you sure? Are you sure you want to see exactly this theater? Here the situation is somewhat more interesting." I say: "Yes! Because I want to prove that competent management is important, that a theater which has such a magnificent stage, a magnificent hall, in the city center…"
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