The Khabarovsk Youth Theatre has laid off key staff members due to criticism from management.
The Khabarovsk Youth Theatre has fired nine key employees, including leading actor Alexander Zverev. The troupe believes this is a retaliatory move for criticism of the theater's mismanagement.
Nine key employees fired Allegedly due to job cuts. The troupe believes this is management's way of settling scores for criticism of the theater's mismanagement. Employees say one of the country's most vibrant theaters could disappear.
Who was laid off at the Khabarovsk Youth Theatre?
The artistic director, the head of the literary department, the directors, as well as the speech coach, the music director, the seamstress, and the prop master were laid off. The lead actor was also laid off. Alexandra Zvereva.
Appeal to the Governor and the Minister
The Youth Theatre team appealed to the governor To Dmitry Demeshin and the Minister of Culture To Olga Lyubimova with a request to intervene in the actions of the management.
"It was during the tenure of these [dismissed] specialists that the theater received prestigious theater awards. <…> We believe that, under the guise of layoffs, scores are being settled and the artistic foundation of the theater, which for many years was the pride of the Khabarovsk Territory, is being destroyed."- they said in video message from employees.
The Khabarovsk Youth Theatre has been in conflict since 2022.
The conflict began back in 2022: the regional Ministry of Culture did not renew agreement with the director of the Youth Theatre Anna YakuninaShe was accused of the Youth Theatre's performances containing "elements of LGBT propaganda" and "popularizing conflicts between society and the government." In her place put Alexandra MeltsevaHe is a "trusted individual" who participated in organizing the Spasskaya Tower military music festival on Red Square, the Sochi Olympics, a show on the facade of Moscow State University's main building, and the Kremlin Cup tennis tournament.
This year, actor Zverev criticized Meltsev's decision to withdraw from the Youth Theatre's participation in the Far Eastern Theatre Festival was widely publicized on social media. Management filed a lawsuit against him, and other actors supported Zverev on social media and in court.
The employees received it in their hands documents on reduction, they will have to leave the theatre at the end of this year.
