Theatre Workers of the Russian Federation, Union of

Categories / Art/Music, Theatre/Art and Literary Associations, Circles
THEATRE WORKERS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, The Union of, St. Petersburg organisation (STD RF) (86 Nevsky Prospect), a creative association of workers of theatrical art. It was established in 1877 in St. Petersburg by actors, writers and artists as the Society for Reciprocal Help of Russian Actors. In 1883, it was transformed into a Charitable Society for Grants for Theatre Workers in Need on the initiative of M. G. Savina (she was a head of the Society from 1883 to 1915). In 1894, it was rearranged as the Russian Theatre Society (RTO), which contributed to the development of theatrical work, served as a go-between in hiring actors and established the Home for Aged Actors in 1896; today it is the Home for Veterans of the Stage. From 1897, the society held the All-Russian Congress of Theatre Workers. In 1903, the Union of Drama and Musical Writers was established in the structure of the Russian Theatre Society. In 1906, the All-Russian Union of Theatre Workers was established as an autonomous body. From 1904, the society was under the patronage of Emperor Nicholas II and received the status of the Imperial Russian Theatre Society (IRTO). In 1908-09, its local departments appeared in big Russian cities. From 1916, the Petrograd Organisation became a branch of the organisation as the Council of the Society was transferred to Moscow. The Russian Theatre Society developed rules for labour relations and controlled their maintenance, protected interests of the theatres against the censor, distributed texts of plays and supported actors in need. The new Regulations for the Russian Theatre Society were approved in 1919, part of its functions were transferred to the state. In 1932, the Russian Theatre Society was renamed the All-Russian Theatre Society, in 1986, it was renamed the Union of Theatre Workers. The activity of the Russian Theatre Society turned to the sphere of creative and research work, development of networks among theatres, organisation of exhibitions, festivals, shows, competitions, conferences, seminars, laboratories, creative business trips, consulting and publishing work. It is also involved in social events and the everyday life its members, etc. The Petersburg Department of the Union of Theatre Workers (2,900 members in 2003), the creative centre of the organisations of the Union of Theatre Workers of the North Western Region, contains 15 creative councils and a workshop for playwrights. The Union of Theatre Workers of the Russian Federation owns several institutions and factories located in St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region, including a recreation camp Komarovo in the village of Komarovo and a theatrical retreat for youths, the Savina Memorial House for Veterans of the Stage, the factory Grim are subordinated to the Teafond (Theatre Fund) of the Union of Theatre Workers of the Russian Federation (Moscow). N. V. Burov has been president of the St. Petersburg Department of the Union of Theatre Workers since 2001. The building was constructed at the late 18th century in Classical style. It belonged to Yusupov Princes. In 1825, the front was decorated with a portico of Ionic order (architect M. A. Ovsyannikov). In 1835, the front and the interiors of gala rooms were decorated with models and sculptures (architect G. Fossati). From 1924, it housed the House for Workers of Arts; from 1959, it housed the Palace for Workers of Arts; from 1988, it housed the Memorial K. S. Stanislavsky Palace for Theatre Workers.

A. A. Kirillov. Burov Nikolay Vitalievich
Fossati Gaspare
Nicholas II, Emperor
Ovsyannikov Mikhail Alexeevich
Savina Maria Gavrilovna
Stanislavsky Konstantin Sergeevich
the Yusupovs, Dukes
Nevsky prospect/Saint Petersburg, city, house 86
Беспалов Н. Всерос.театр. об-во и сов. т-р. М., 1946