The East Kazakhstan Regional Drama Theater is one of the oldest theaters in Kazakhstan. The opening took place on October 26, 1902, at that time, the theater was called the People’s House.

The first performance of the troupe was the production of “Rabochaya Slobodka” (Workers’ Village) by E. Karpov. For many years, a stable professional theater has not existed yet. A theater was formed closer to the mid-30s of the 20th century. In January 1936, the first theatrical season was opened with “The Marriage” stage play by Nikolai Gogol. In 1939, East Kazakhstan was separated into an independent region and the Oskemen City Theater received the status of a regional one.

The People’s House

In June 1941, the theater building became the center of mobilization of all forces for the victory over Fascist Germany. The years of the Second World War and the first post-war decade entered the history of the theater as “A time of selfless labor and theatrical feat”. In an unheated, but crowded theater hall, there were the performances that helped people to strengthen their faith in victory – “At the walls of Leningrad”, “Invasion”, etc. In July of 1946, by the decision of the Oskemen City Executive Committee, the regional drama theater was named after the great Kazakh poet – Zhambyl, in the year of the centenary of his birth. In the repertoire of the theater of that time, much attention was paid to the current and foreign classics.

In 2000, during the “Year of Culture Support”, a talented Kazakh troupe appeared at the theater. Its creation has its own history – a competition for the selection of the actors and masters of art was announced in the region. For over 15 years, two troupes have been housed in a historic building built at the beginning of the 20th century. In 2012, the construction of a new building began in Oskemen. Initially, it was assumed that only the Kazakh Drama Theater would be located there, but later, it was decided that it would become common for the two different theater troupes. On April 7, 2015, the new theater building was inaugurated.

At present, the theater does not need a special performance. The team and performances are known not only by fellow countrymen, Oskemen citizens. During its long history, the theater has managed to visit various cities of Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus with tours. In addition, the troupe has the awards in its “piggy bank”, brought from the various international theater festivals in Kazakhstan, Belarus, Moldova, and Russia.

The theater’s repertoire includes the productions based on works of classical and modern drama, fairy tales for young spectators. The variety of genres and themes testifies to the professional maturity of the artistic team.

“Scarlet flower” by S. T. Aksakov

With the appearance of a new unique building, a youth theater was created in 2015. The troupe consists of young talented graduates of the Capital University of Arts and Temirbek Zhurgenov Kazakh National Academy of Arts. At the opening of their first theatrical season, the artists presented the premiere of the stage play by American playwright Ken Ludwig “Zhuldyzdy sat” (Star moment). It was directed by Yerenbak Toikenov, a graduate of GITIS, director of the Astana Opera Theater. Also, the artists took part in the 14th International Youth Festival in South Korea. The theater presented to the Korean audience the musical and plastic works by Aidyn Salbanov: “Altai Turki aleminin besigi – boriler” (Altai is the cradle of the Turkic world – bumblebees) and “Zhurek kagysy” (Heart rate).

The repertoire of the youth theater includes the works by modern Kazakh playwrights, including the musical comedy “Zhasasyn Mahabbat!” (Let the love live) by M.Khassenov, staged by Sailau Kamiyev and “Tenderge tusken kelinshek” (A bride who got into the tender) by M.Sarsekenov.

“Snow Girl” (Qar Kyzy) by Oralkhan Bokei

Notice: 

The East Kazakhstan Regional Drama Theater is located at Kanysh Satpayev Avenue, 55, Oskemen city. A theater has a capacity of 600 seats, rehearsal halls are located in it, and there is a small auditorium. The building was built using the latest technology. The film directors and actors have professional equipment at their instruction: lighting, stage and music equipment, as well as a recording studio.