Anna Georgievna Kolesnikova

It all began in 2016, when Vladimir Georgievich Urin called me. At the time, he was the Director General of the Bolshoi Theatre and simultaneously headed the Department of Production of Performing Arts at the Moscow Art Theatre School-Studio — and he invited me to teach. This pivotal turning point in my life was initiated by his friend and colleague, Dmitry Viktorovich Rodionov, who at the time headed the A.A. Bakhrushin State Central Theatre Museum, where I was working. He recommended me as a highly qualified professional, adding an enigmatic phrase: "If she agrees."
Vladimir Georgievich was probably surprised: before him was a specialist whose name he did not recognize, and who, moreover, had no teaching experience. Yet, after speaking with me, he made me an offer — and it changed my life.
Today, I remember these two people with profound gratitude: it was they who set me on the path of teaching. And now, I find it hard to imagine my life without this inspiring and truly meaningful work.

In my view, the most important thing is a confident command of your subject and a genuine desire to share it. A high level of empathy is also essential to build a trusting relationship and foster a positive working atmosphere. Otherwise, you simply cannot pass that knowledge on. It is crucial for students to be seen as independent individuals and treated with respect—they can detect any insincerity almost instantly.

Working at the School-Studio is something I always look forward to with pleasure and anticipation. At the School, you encounter a wonderfully diverse community of talented, creative individuals who will understand you, or perhaps debate with you, but who will always support and help you. It is an environment defined by a consistently high standard of culture. The students at the School are creative, energetic, and inquisitive young people, and I always find interacting with them deeply engaging. I vividly remember these students' reactions when I take them to various state museums, where curators share the stories behind—and show them—the treasures of Russia's museum collections. Creative young people are especially receptive to encounters with beauty; they become deeply moved, engage in passionate discussions, and we always share our impressions.
At the School-Studio, we teach students to draw knowledge from academic scholarship, to think creatively when faced with the most seemingly insurmountable challenges, and to confidently express themselves through project work across various fields of art.

The course "Exhibition Production" is part of the educational standard for the specialty of Performing Arts Producer, since exhibition activity falls within the scope of the performing arts. The production process in this discipline consists of several essential stages: developing the project concept, designing the architectural and artistic vision, calculating the financial framework, and defining the project's marketing strategy. My students and I work through each of these stages in a practice-oriented format. This is why, at the final examination, students defend projects they have created from scratch, demonstrating the knowledge they have acquired in the technology of exhibition and display practices. Upon completing my course, students are able to assess the potential effectiveness of exhibition projects, develop concepts that resonate with real audiences, and devise commercially viable solutions. Through the learning process, they gain an independent craft in which, with dedication, they can become true masters. The profession of the producer is a young one, developing rapidly, and I believe it will become even more in demand in the future.