Nikolai V. Demidov (1884–1953) was an exceptional Russian theatre pedagogue, director and scholar, whose story, life, and body of revolutionary work had remained unknown to the general public as well as the academic community for over 50 years after his death. Since 2016, however, when his nearly forgotten books were translated and published in English, awareness and recognition of his work and teaching has grown worldwide. The question is whether N. V. Demidov can offer a new perspective on the teaching of authorial acting and pedagogy at the Department of Authorial Acting (and possibly elsewhere). Studying the book Becoming an Actor – Creator and practising the Demidov Etudes revealed similarities between Demidov’s school and the approach and philosophy of the Department of Authorial Creativity and Pedagogy (as well as between the authors and teachers of these two schools). Both Ivan Vyskočil and Nikolai V. Demidov in their time demanded innovation of how teaching of acting in drama schools could and should be taught and perceived. Another important common feature is their background and practice in the theatre and particularly their study and practice of psychology and psychiatry. Both men embarked on their own specific paths and research despite the restrictive political regimes and traditional academic environments. Both Demidov and Vyskočil also understood and shaped their pedagogical work as a combination of teaching and research, with great emphasis on the role of teachers/educators in the process. The essential question of this lecture was what the other similarities and differences between these two schools were.
Work Experience
Education
Theatre Experience