The history of higher theater education in our country dates back to the period after World War II, beginning in 1945 with the establishment of the Azerbaijan State Theater Institute under the former Theater Technical School.
At that time, the institute operated with only three academic divisions — the faculties of acting, directing, and theater studies. Alongside prominent theater figures such as R. Tahmasib, Kazim Ziya, and A. Tuganov, notable scholars of the period, including A. Sultanli, M. Rafili, F. Gasimzade, and A. Mudrov, were also involved in the teaching process.
In the first academic year, a total of 40 students were admitted: 15 to the acting program, 15 to directing, and 10 to theater studies.
In the following years, the structure of the State Theater Institute was expanded, the scope of specialized education increased, and new faculties and departments were established. During this period, the institute’s academic staff included prominent figures such as A. Isgandarov, M. Mammadov, R. Tahmasib, T. Kazimov, J. Jafarov, I. Ibrahimov, J. Safarov, A. Ismayilova, M. Janizade, M. Asgarov, A. Dadashov, I. Dagistanli, A. Guliyev, N. Zhdanov, H. Huseynov, A. Adilov, F. Sultanov, E. Mustafayev, and others.
In the 1970s, the institute operated the Faculties of “Theater and Visual Arts” as well as “Cultural and Educational Work.”
Following Azerbaijan’s restoration of state independence, the Theater Institute continued its activities under a new status as the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts. During this period, the university’s structure was further improved. Faculties were established to unite relevant departments under specific specialties, one of which was the Faculty of Theater Arts.
The Faculty of Theater Arts, which includes the departments of “Drama and Film Acting,” “Drama Directing and Stage Movement,” “Theater Studies,” “Stage Speech,” and “Musical Theater Acting,” has a distinguished academic staff. The faculty comprises 4 Doctors of Art Studies, 11 Professors, 10 PhDs in Art Studies, 12 Honored Artists, 7 People’s Artists, 2 Honored Art Workers, 3 Honored Teachers, 16 Associate Professors, 4 Consulting Professors, 8 Senior Lecturers, and 11 Lecturers.
Currently, 328 students are studying at the undergraduate and graduate (master’s) levels across various specialties within the faculty. The Faculty of Theater Arts, which oversees the activities of the leading art and theory departments of the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, is headed by PhD in Art Studies and Associate Professor Kamala Mehdiyeva.