The history of the Maxim Gorky State Academic Russian Drama Theater in Astana dates back to the end of the XIX century..

Since 1955, the theater has become stationary and received the name - Akmola Regional Russian Drama Theater named after M. Gorky. During these years, such outstanding directors as A. Obraztsov, Y. Zozulya, V. Vogel, A. Popov, G. Saidullina worked in the theater. The theater has been actively developing and has become one of the most significant and authoritative in the republic.

 In 1991, after Kazakhstan gained independence, the theater was renamed the "Gorky State Academic Russian Drama Theater". The theater continued to work successfully and present bright and interesting performances for the audience.

In 1997, the theater "found" a new breath in Astana, the new capital of Kazakhstan.In the same year, the theater received the status of a state academy and became even more authoritative in the world of theatrical art. 

Russian Russian State Drama Theater named after M. Gorky in Astana continues its innovative activities, presenting to the audience a wide repertoire of classical and modern works of Russian drama. 

From the history of the theater. In 1999, the theater appointed a new artistic director and chief director - Yuri Haning-Beknazar, Honored Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The director is a teacher who gave a new experimental direction in directing and educated more than one generation of young actors, graduates of the Kazakh National Academy of Music (KazakhNational University of the Arts) which form the basis of the current troupe.

The beginning of the 2000s was marked by the active participation of the theater team in international festivals and successful tours of the cities of Kazakhstan and the CIS countries. These trips gave an opportunity to declare themselves as a serious, psychological theater and adequately represent the theatrical art of Kazakhstan.

In 2022, Bekpulat Sattarovich Parmanov was appointed artistic director of the theater. 

The life of the theater today

 The Gorky Theater in Astana is known not only in our country, but also in many countries. Over the years of its creative activity, the theater has visited many countries, including Belarus, Hungary, Spain, China, Macedonia, Russia and Serbia. He was the winner of many international festivals and competitions, such as "Shabyt", "Eternal Shakespeare", "Meetings in Russia" and "Sakhnadan Salem!", etc.

In 2023, the theater opened its 123rd theater season in the renovated building. The theater stage is equipped with a special circle with a diameter of 8 meters, which is used for decorations intechnically complex productions. The installed lighting fixtures are identical to those used at the Bavarian State Opera Munich Grand Opera. The lighting equipment control console is the only British one in the whole of Kazakhstan. 

The hall accommodates 255 seats. 

The repertoire of the theater

On the stage of the Gorky State Academic Russian Drama Theater, you can see modern productions that actualize classical works and bring a fresh look. The prevailing genres are tragicomedy, stage fantasy, fairy tale, comedy, drama, melodrama, everyday surrealism and detective.

The theater actively cooperates with modern by directors and playwrights, which allows you to create new interpretations of famous works.

The Gorky State Academic Russian Drama Theater is one of the leading theaters in Kazakhstan. Here, every theater lover can find interesting and diverse productions that will be an unforgettable art and high-quality spectacle.

Cast and artistic management

 An important feature of the theater. Gorky in Astana is characterized by the high professionalism of the actors and artistic and managerial staff, who are excellent at their skills and are able to convey the emotions and depth of the characters. Their talent and acting are one of the main attractionsfeatures of this theater. 

The artistic and managerial staff of the theater includes outstanding personalities of modern Kazakhstani art: Honored Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan Bekpulat Parmanov, choreographer Rosa Belgibayeva, holders of badges "Madeniyet kayratkeri" and "Madeniyet salasyn uzdigi" Kanat Maksutov, Nadezhda Shevchenko, Denis Tsygankov, Ruslan Mukhamadiev and others. 

The theater actively participates in internationalfestivals and collaborates with theater groups from different countries.

The history of the M. Gorky State Academic Russian Drama Theater in Astana is an important historical part of the development of theatrical art in Kazakhstan and continues to be one of the main cultural institutions of the country.