Nabi Abdurakhmanov
Theater Director / Teacher / Leader of international theatre festivals, Artistic Director of ESSENCE Theatre-Studio.
For 25 years, 1991-2016, was the Artistic Director the celebrated Youth Theater of Uzbekistan in Tashkent.
Nabi Abdurakhmanov led the Youth Theater of Uzbekistan as its Artistic Director for 26 years (from 1991 to 2016), with its main repertoire being in Russian. His participation in many international festivals, including in many cities in Russia, earned his theater the recognition of being the best Russian-speaking theater outside of Russia. It is no wonder he was awarded the State Prize of the Russian Federation for his contribution to Russian culture – Nabi Abdurakhmanov is a Knight of the Pushkin Medal. In such a renowned media outlet as the Russian channel of VOICE OF AMERICA, an interview was conducted after the premiere of Nabi Abdurakhmanov's performance “Worlds In Collision” at his ESSENCE Theatre-Studio in New York. The interview can be found on
During that time, he also taught acting and directing at the Arts and Culture Institute of Uzbekistan and at the School-Studio of the Youth Theater of Uzbekistan, and also staged plays in Israel and Russia as well. He has garnered numerous international prizes and critical acclaim for his groundbreaking theatrical work.
In 2016, moved to USA and started work in New York.
Since 2018 - Artistic Director of the ESSENCE Theatre-Studio.
Teaching Methodology -
Mr. Abdurakhmanov's work evolves from the Theatre School of Stanislavsky and incorporates core aspects of Vakhtangov, Grotowski, Boleslavsky, Ariane Mnouchkine and other theatrical lineages, while creating an original acting methodology. He taught acting and directing, has given master classes and has directed in prominent theatre schools in Uzbekistan, Russia, Germany, and Israel. His students work professionally in acclaimed theaters in Uzbekistan, Russia and elsewhere.
Website: www.nabiweb.com
Kholstomer
It is absolutely original version of the famous story of Classic writer. A combination of modern plastique/movement show, signature music, and high poetry in a single stage action. "Kholstomer" is a story about the eternal quest for Freedom and the High Flight of Soul. This is the story of Pegasus!
Education
Theatre Director with more than 40 years of experience in addition to teaching acting and directing. Led international theatre festivals and won international and state awards.
Awards
- Honored Worker of Arts of Uzbekistan, 2005
- Knight of Russian State Award, Pushkin Medal for the contribution to Russian culture in the world, 2008
Director of Uzbek State “Young Guard” Drama Theatre
2015-2017
Founder, Artistic Director and General Manager of “Dard” Theatre-Studio
08/1988 - 01/1991
Artistic Director and General Manager
Youth Theatre of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
State professional theatre arts center dedicated on young people from 6 till 35 years old and adult spectators
• Ran theatre for 25 years, making it the most popular in Uzbekistan and well known in Russia and some European countries
• Organized 8 international festivals (“HUMO” and “Theatre.UZ”) with participation of theatre artists and shows from more than 15 countries
• Toured in more than 15 countries of Europe and Asia and achived their awards and diplomas.
01/1991 - 06/2016
Teacher of Acting and Directing Skills
State Institute of Arts of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
School-Studio of Dramatic Arts, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
• Taught acting and directing skills for students of Bachelor and Master degrees
07/1982 – 06/2016
Light Designer
Work as A Light Designer of theatre shows and on a huge open area stages of celebrating of Uzbekistan Independent Days and International Music Festivals “Shark Taronalari” (“East Melodies” with pariticipating of more than 60 countries).
1993 – 2016
Chairman of Uzbek Center of ASSITEJ
(International Association of Theatres for Children and Young People)
1997 – 2016
ESSENCE Theatre-Studio Inc., created by him and Vassa Vasileva
Artistic Director, President
2018 – present time
SOME FESTIVALS where Nabi Abdurakhmanov and the theatre ran by him participated:
• General Assembly of International Association of Theatres for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ),Copenhagen, Denmark, June, 2011
• Chekhov International Theatre Festival, Moscow, Russia, 1998, 2003, 2005,
• International Chekhov Conference, Moscow, Russia, 2010
• "Meetings In Russia" International Theatre Festival, St. Petersburg, Russia, 2000 – 2014, the festival’s Kirill Lavrov's Grand Prize, 04/2013
• International Theatre Festival Avignon-OFF, Avignon, France, 2014
• International Youth theatres festival, Durham, Great Britain, 2012
• International Youth theatres festival, Haifa, Israel, 2002
• International theatre festival, Cairo, Egypt, 1992
• International Youth theatres festival, Seoul, Korea, 2014
• and others.
EDUCATION Master of Arts (MA), Theatre Art, Theatre Direction State Theatre and Arts Institute, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 1980
SOME SHOWS DIRECTED BY NABI ABDURAKHMANOV:
THREE SISTERS by A. Chekhov
(The New York University TISCH School of the Arts, 2017)
PHAETON by M. Milligan
(Stella Adler Studio of Acting, New York, 2017)
WORLDS IN COLLISION by Iddo Netanyahu
(Youth theatre of Uzbekistan, 2015, and Academic Drama Theatre of Vladimir, Russia, 2016)
A HAPPY END by Iddo Netanyahu
(Youth theatre of Uzbekistan, 2013)
CONSTELLATION OF OMAR KHAYYAM
(Youth theatre of Uzbekistan, 1998, and “Beit Zvi” Theatre School, Israel, 2004)
KHOLSTOMER, THE HISTORY OF A HORSE by Leo Tolstoy
(Youth theatre of Uzbekistan, 1998, and “Beit Zvi” Theatre School, Israel, 1998)
PARABLE ABOUTLOVE GIVEN by A.Navoi’s poem “Language Of Birds”
(Youth theatre of Uzbekistan, 2000, and joint production with “Baltic House” Theatre, St-Petersburg, Russia, 2008)
THE HONEST PEOPLE by Ivan Turgenev’s play “A Month In The Country”
(Youth theatre of Uzbekistan, 2009)
FIRST LOVE OF KHODJA NASREDDIN by T.Zulfikarov
(Youth theatre of Uzbekistan, 2008, and “Baltic House” Theatre, St-Petersburg, Russia, 2008)
PRINCESS TURANDOT by C.Gozzi
(Youth theatre of Uzbekistan, 2001, and “Beit Zvi” Theatre School, Israel, 2000)
EQUUS by Peter Shaffer
(“Dard” Theatre-Studio, 1988, and Youth theatre of Uzbekistan, 1991 and 2010)
SHARORA, THE DANCER by T.Zulfikarov
(Youth theatre of Uzbekistan, 2003)
SODOM AND GOMORRAH XXI – dance show in a style of progressive rock against narcotics,
(Youth theatre of Uzbekistan, 2001)
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF by Sholom-Aleichem’s “Tevye, the Milkman” novel
(Youth theatre of Uzbekistan, 1995)
THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL movement/dance show for children and adults based on the same name tale of H.-K.Andersen
(Youth theatre of Uzbekistan, 1997)
TEACHING METHODOLOGY
Mr. Abdurakhmanov's work evolves from the Theatre School of Stanislavsky and incorporates core aspects of Vakhtangov, Grotowski, Boleslavsky, Ariane Mnouchkine and other theatrical lineages, while creating an original acting methodology. He taught acting and directing, has given master classes and has directed in prominent theatre schools in Uzbekistan, Russia, Germany, Israel and USA. His students work professionally in acclaimed theaters in Uzbekistan, Russia and elsewhere.
