The Department of Directing and Stage Movement traces its origins to the early years of professional theatre education in Azerbaijan.
The foundations of the Department are closely connected with the establishment of the Azerbaijan State Theatre Institute in 1945, created on the basis of the Baku Theatre School.
From its earliest years, the Institute brought together many of the leading figures of Azerbaijani theatre, including Aleksandr Tuganov, Rza Tahmasib, Kazim Ziya, Ali Sultanli, Mikayil Rafili, Fuad Gasimzade, and Almurad Muradov. In the following years, prominent directors and educators such as Adil Isgandarov, Mehdi Mammadov, and Maharram Hashimov joined the academic staff and contributed significantly to the development of directing education in Azerbaijan.
The Department itself was officially established in 1968 under the name “Stage Movement Department.” In 2017, it merged with the Department of Choreography and was reorganized as the Department of Directing and Stage Movement.
Throughout its history, the Department has trained many distinguished theatre directors, artists, and educators. Among its graduates and associated theatre professionals are Guljahan Gulahmadova, Ulduz Aliyeva, Ashraf Guliyev, Yusif Baghirov, Nasir Sadigzade, Rufat Shabanov, Adil Babayev, Fikrat Sultanov, Zamina Hajiyeva, Azarpasha Neymatov, Yusif Akbarov, Fuad Hajiyev, Rafiq Atakishiyev, Vagif Sharifov, Aligismat Lalayev, Irana Taghizade, Bahram Osmanov, Mehriban Alakbarzade, and Firudin Maharramov.
Today, the Department combines classical directing traditions with contemporary approaches to stage movement, performance, choreography, and visual theatre practice. The curriculum integrates artistic creativity, practical stage training, and interdisciplinary performance methods.
25 courses are taught at the undergraduate level and 23 courses at the master’s level within the Department.
The Head of the Department is Hafiz Guliyev, Associate Professor.
Academic Staff:
- Hafiz Guliyev – Honored Art Worker, Associate Professor, Head of Department
- Israfil Israfilov – Professor, Honored Art Worker
- Bahram Osmanov – Honored Art Worker, Associate Professor
- Aligismat Lalayev – Honored Art Worker of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Honored Art Worker of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, PhD in Art Studies, Associate Professor
- Fikrat Melikov – Associate Professor
- Asad Rzayev – PhD in Art Studies, Associate Professor
- Ofeliya Zeynalova – PhD in Art Studies, Associate Professor
- Esmiralda Osmanova – Honored Cultural Worker, Senior Lecturer
- Sahib Novruzov – Senior Lecturer
- Gumrah Omar – Lecturer
- Tural Mustafayev – Lecturer
- Mirza Abasov – Lecturer
- Etibar Mammadov – Honored Coach, Lecturer
- Nurlan Rustamov – Lecturer
- Zulfiya Mukhtarova – Accompanist
Courses Offered:
- Undergraduate Level
- Directing Arts 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
- Fundamentals of Directing
- Fundamentals of Directing
- Directing Arts (Practical Training) 1,2,3,4,5,6
- Director’s Work with the Actor (Directing Specialization) 1,2,3,4
- Director’s Work with the Actor (Acting Specialization) 1,2
- Scenic Design in Performance
- Introduction to the Specialization
- Opera Class
- Acting Arts 1,2
- Stage Technology
- Stage Combat
- Fundamentals of Stage Movement
- Stage Plasticity
- Stage Movement
- Dance
- Sword Training
- Musical Arrangement of Performance
- Azerbaijani and World Folk Dances
- Rhythmics
- Historical, Social, and Modern Ballroom Dance
- Modern Dance
- Azerbaijani National Dances
- World Folk Dances
- Complex Dance Forms
- Plastic Pantomime
- Master’s Level
- Directing Arts 1,2 (1.5 years)
- Directing Arts (2 years)
- Contemporary Problems of Directing Arts
- Contemporary Development Trends in Directing Arts
- Director’s Work with the Actor 1-2-3
- Work with the Director
- Work with the Director (for Actors)
- Work with the Director (for Solo Singing)
- Fundamentals of Psychotechnics (1.5 years)
- Directing in Musical Performance (1.5 years)
- Fundamentals of Musical Theatre Directing
- Plastic and Artistic Interpretation of Performance
- Stage Technologies (1.5 years)
- Functional Parameters of Stage Technologies
- Technical Equipment and Production Techniques
- Stage Technology
Head of Department
Hafiz Guliyev
Associate Professor