Theatre Science Café

In September 1944, the Soviet Union of Azerbaijani People’s Committees discussed the status of theater education in the republic and decided to establish the Azerbaijani National Theater Institute based on the Baku Theater Technical School. In June 1945, the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) approved the creation of the Azerbaijani National Theater Institute in Baku. The institute was officially founded, establishing faculties of acting, directing, and theater studies. Rza Tahmasib was appointed director of the Department of Acting and Film Arts, while A. Muradov, a professor of philosophy, led the Department of Literature. In June 1945, for the first time in its history, the Theater Institute admitted 10 students. The next enrollment to the Theater Department took place in 1948.

In recent years, graduates of the department have studied theater and worked in various scientific institutions across the republic. Notable alumni include Inqilab Karimov, who served for many years as director of the Azerbaijani Institute of Memory and Arts; Tamilla Yusufbayev, a researcher at the Institute of Arts; writer Eli Samadli; poet and playwright Alexander Joshgun; renowned theater historian Jabir Saparov; and dramatist Geybulla Rasulov. At the time of its establishment, the Department of Theater History was led by R. Huseynov, M. Allahverdiyev, N. Tahmazov, T. Efendiev, and M. Elizabeth.

The department has undergone significant reforms in line with the restructuring of higher education. Starting in 2007, our university’s theater sciences were transitioned to the Bologna education system, leading to an update in the department’s work processes. New programs, methodologies, and textbooks were developed in accordance with this system. To enhance students’ ethical and practical knowledge and professional skills, the department organized a creative laboratory and occasionally held in-depth discussions on theatrical topics. One notable performance was an adaptation of the science fiction novel The War of the Worlds. The department’s faculty members are authors of numerous scientific papers, articles, and teaching methodologies. At the start of each academic year, faculty members are assigned responsibilities focused on academic and student development within the department.

The books Drama and Theatre, The Poetry of the Azerbaijani National Theatre, and The History of Azerbaijani Theatre have been published. Mary Elizabeth’s monographs include Theatre: Sight and Magic, Synonyms for Laughter, and Colors of the Fourth Dimension. Israfil Israfilov has authored works such as The Ethical and Experiential Heritage of K.S. Stanislavski and Stanislavski and the Grammar of Acting. Aydin Talibzadeh’s publications include Seminar Book on Theatre Criticism and Eastern Theatre History, while Frieda Galileo authored Current Problems in Theatre.

The department’s faculty members actively participate in symposiums dedicated to the theater industry both in Azerbaijan and abroad. Azerbaijani theater is also prominently represented in the press, radio, and television.

Since its inception, many works have been translated. Currently, faculty members regularly translate works and lectures from foreign languages almost every year. Recent translations include books such as The Life of Drama by Eric Bentley and Postdramatic Theatre by Hans-Thies Lehmann, translated by Frieda Galileo.

Currently, the head of the department is Professor Aydin Talibzadeh, a Doctor of Philosophy in Arts, serving since 2015. The department’s faculty includes four professors, one of whom is a consulting professor; two associate professors; one senior lecturer; and six lecturers. In total, the department’s teaching staff comprises 13 members. Among them, one holds a full-time position, one holds a half-time position, eight work part-time, and two serve as hourly lecturers.