ACTUAL PROBLEMS OF THE AMERICAN REPERTOIRE THEATRE. AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATRE

Abstract

In the predominance of the non-profit theatrical sector on the manysided “theatre map” of Russia, it is useful to analyze the experience of producing theatrical projects in the United States on the example of a large repertory theatre - the American Conservatory Theatre (ACT), one of the iconic and vibrant theatrical “pillars” of the American regional stage. The theatre was founded in 1965 by William Ball, an outstanding American figure in the theatrical sphere, and was initially created as “artistic, creative, fruitful cooperation, free from the financial pressure”. At that time, Boll’s idea of creating a theatre with a permanent troupe, repertoire planning, and at the same time opening a conservatory, a higher theatre school at the theatre, was innovative for America. William Boll’s idea to create a theatre where a permanent troupe would work with its repertoire and, at the same time, with the activity of a higher theatrical school, was unique for the United States of America of the second half of the twentieth century. Even in the most difficult times, ACT managed to preserve its teaching and conservatory practice, preserve traditions and continue to graduate its students.