The Moscow Art Theatre (MAT) Studio School Tour: How SIBUR Opens the Path to the Theatrical Olympus
The Moscow Art Theatre (MAT) Studio School tour project is a unique educational and creative initiative implemented with the support of SIBUR's "Formula for Good Deeds" programme. It is not merely a visit by performances from a legendary institution to the regions, but the creation of a comprehensive system for talent identification, professional development, and the formation of an accessible cultural environment that directly connects Russian cities with the country's premier theatre school.
Significant Statistics
Residents of the regions have the unique opportunity to undergo the first selection round for the MAT Studio School in their home city, without travelling to Moscow, where the number of applicants per available spot is thousands of times higher.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to change the cultural geography of the country, opening a path to the best theatre school for regional talents and bringing the highest level of living art directly to their cities, thereby raising the professional bar and creating an inclusive environment for all.
Strategic Objectives:
Providing talented young people from the regions with a real chance to enter one of the country's leading theatre universities.
Strengthening Russia's unified cultural space through tours, master classes, and the exchange of professional experience.
Ensuring the accessibility of theatrical art for people with disabilities and developing relevant competencies in local theatres.
Making performances by one of the country's best theatres accessible to regional residents.
The tour programme is built around three interconnected blocks, each addressing specific goals.
Cities are presented not only with repertoire but also with graduation performances by the final-year class of the MAT Studio School's Acting Department, introducing audiences to the highest level of contemporary theatre education. Each performance is accompanied by the "Dialogue with the Classics" exhibition by students of the Scenography and Theatre Technology Department. The display includes theatrical mock-ups, sketches, costumes, and props.
Master classes in acting and stage speech are organised for youth, students of theatre colleges, and
professional actors.
Engaging lectures are also held for future theatre set designers.
Special auditions are conducted for those wishing to enroll in the MAT Studio School, giving
regional residents a unique opportunity to showcase their talents before teachers from one of the
country's best theatre schools and advance to the next stages of the admission process.
Performances with audio description for blind and visually impaired spectators have been organised.
Master classes on audio description have been held for staff of local theatres.
Research into the regional audience has been initiated.
SIBUR's Contribution:
Creator of Social Elevators
The company has directly influenced the career trajectories of young people in the regions by organising local selection rounds.
Conduit of the Highest Standards
SIBUR has provided the regions with access not only to performances but also to the methodologies and expertise of the leading theatre institution, contributing to raising the overall professional level of local creative communities.
Responsible Organiser of Comprehensive Solutions
The project incorporated principles of sustainable development (use of eco-materials, waste recycling) and inclusion (work with audio description, selection of accessible venues) from the outset, setting new standards for cultural projects.
The Moscow Art Theatre (MAT) Studio School Tour is SIBUR's multidimensional investment in the future of culture. The project builds strong bridges between the capital and the regions, changes the lives of specific talented individuals, and lays the foundation for a more open, professional, and accessible cultural environment across the country.