About theatrе
On February 19, 1986, the Council of Ministers of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic adopted Resolution No. 70 «On the opening of a puppet theater in Kostanay». This document marked the beginning of the creation of the Kostanay Regional Puppet Theater. On December 31 of the same year, the new theater opened its doors, presenting young viewers with the premiere of M. Sadovsky's play «Mashenka». The first puppet theater was located in a beautiful building at 53 Tolstoy Street and had a cozy auditorium with 150 seats. The hard work and efforts of the people who were directly involved in creating the theater for young theatergoers did not go to waste. The theater immediately became popular with residents and visitors to the city, becoming an important cultural center in the region. In addition, the new institution fully met the requirements associated with the specific nature of puppet theater, and in August 1987, it hosted the First Republican Puppet Theater Festival.
In 1999, the Kostanay Regional Puppet Theater merged with the M. Gorky Regional Russian Drama Theater, resulting in the formation of the Kostanay Regional Russian Drama and Puppet Theater. This unusual union of puppet and drama troupes performed on the same stage, under the same roof, for a long time. Only years later was the puppet theater able to return to an independent theatrical life. On February 27, 2012, Resolution No. 112 of the Akimat of the Kostanay Region «On the Reorganization of the State Communal Enterprise «Kostanay Regional Russian Drama and Puppet Theater» was adopted, and the communal state enterprise «Regional Puppet Theater» was created. In the same year, on May 28, Resolution No. 255 of the Kostanay Region Akimat On the Transfer of Regional Communal Property” was adopted, transferring a three-story building located at 20 Perronnaya Street. This space was not originally intended for theatrical use, but with the support of the Department of Culture and the efforts of the entire team, it was adapted for theatrical productions. The puppet theater now has its own building with an auditorium seating 126 people, as well as art, design, and costume workshops, a rehearsal hall, and two dressing rooms.
Throughout its history, the theater has nurtured and trained many talented actors, puppeteers, directors, and artists who delight Kostanay audiences with their skill and talent. Numerous vivid performances based on the works of leading domestic and international authors have been staged. Cooperation has been established with colleagues from abroad and other regions of Kazakhstan. Well-known directors and production designers are invited to stage performances: B. Parmanov (Astana), D. Zhumabaeva (Almaty), A. Zaitsev (Almaty), A. Salaeva (Astana), Y. Chernova (Almaty), N. Belousova (Perm, Russia), P. Bednyakova (Krasnodar, Russia), N. Sabashvili (Georgia).
Talent, dedication to art, and relentless creative exploration have allowed the Kostanay Regional Puppet Theater to repeatedly earn the recognition of the professional community and audiences.
Among the most significant achievements:
Another key achievement of the theater is the opening of a baby theater for the youngest viewers in May 2025. This project, which had been postponed for many years, became a bright and long-awaited event. It is aimed not only at giving children their first theatrical experience, but also at educating parents, emphasizing the importance of early interaction with art.
In its short history, the puppet theater has achieved significant success in the development and popularization of theatrical art. Today, it is modern, in demand, with a rich repertoire, and successfully implements various innovative theatrical projects.
In 1999, the Kostanay Regional Puppet Theater merged with the M. Gorky Regional Russian Drama Theater, resulting in the formation of the Kostanay Regional Russian Drama and Puppet Theater. This unusual union of puppet and drama troupes performed on the same stage, under the same roof, for a long time. Only years later was the puppet theater able to return to an independent theatrical life. On February 27, 2012, Resolution No. 112 of the Akimat of the Kostanay Region «On the Reorganization of the State Communal Enterprise «Kostanay Regional Russian Drama and Puppet Theater» was adopted, and the communal state enterprise «Regional Puppet Theater» was created. In the same year, on May 28, Resolution No. 255 of the Kostanay Region Akimat On the Transfer of Regional Communal Property” was adopted, transferring a three-story building located at 20 Perronnaya Street. This space was not originally intended for theatrical use, but with the support of the Department of Culture and the efforts of the entire team, it was adapted for theatrical productions. The puppet theater now has its own building with an auditorium seating 126 people, as well as art, design, and costume workshops, a rehearsal hall, and two dressing rooms.
Throughout its history, the theater has nurtured and trained many talented actors, puppeteers, directors, and artists who delight Kostanay audiences with their skill and talent. Numerous vivid performances based on the works of leading domestic and international authors have been staged. Cooperation has been established with colleagues from abroad and other regions of Kazakhstan. Well-known directors and production designers are invited to stage performances: B. Parmanov (Astana), D. Zhumabaeva (Almaty), A. Zaitsev (Almaty), A. Salaeva (Astana), Y. Chernova (Almaty), N. Belousova (Perm, Russia), P. Bednyakova (Krasnodar, Russia), N. Sabashvili (Georgia).
Talent, dedication to art, and relentless creative exploration have allowed the Kostanay Regional Puppet Theater to repeatedly earn the recognition of the professional community and audiences.
Among the most significant achievements:
- 2000 – VIII Bolshoy Ural Puppet Theater Festival (Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation). The Legend of the Golden Warrior, directed by B. Salamchev – diploma «For professionalism and vivid embodiment of the national epic on stage»;
- 2002 – I Republican Puppet Theater Festival (Almaty). The play «The Adventures of the Firefly» based on the play by E. Bobrov, directed by G. Ivanov – Grand Prix for best stage design;
- 2003 – IX Festival of Puppet Theatres «Big Ural – Volga Region» (Perm, Russian Federation). The play “The Adventures of Firefly” based on the play by E. Bobrov, directed by G. Ivanov – 1st place (in the younger age category), diploma “For loyalty and striving for bright ideals”;
- 2007 – 1st International Puppet Theater Festival “Orteke” (Aktau). The play “You Have to Be Needed” based on the play by D. Kusainov and H. Bulibekov, directed by G. Ivanov – 1st degree diploma;
- 2013 – III International Puppet Theater Festival “Orteke” (Astana).The play “Once Again About Little Red Riding Hood” by S. Kogan and S. Efremov, directed by G. Ivanov – diploma for “Stage Debut”;
- 2015 – IV International Puppet Theater Festival “Orteke” (Kostanay). The play “The Fox Cub” by V. Pavlovskis, directed by G. Ivanov – diploma “For the scenographic solution of the play”;
- 2016 – The play “The Hawk” based on the play by Irina and Yan Zlatopolsky, directed by Yu. Semenova – Diploma from the Union of Theatre Workers of Kazakhstan in the category “Best Children's Play”;
- 2021 – Ónerpaz bolsań… Festival (Nur-Sultan). Theatre artist Arman Maganbetov won in the Darindy Actor category;
- 2023 – III International Puppet Theatre Festival Kuralay (Astana). The play “You, Me, and the Puppeteer” based on the play by H. Yurkovsky, directed by V. Chisty, received the award for “Best Musical Accompaniment.”
- October 2023 – 1st International Puppet Theater Festival “Puppetland-Digital” (Shymkent). Actress Olga Korotchenko won the award in the category “Best Actress.” The play “The Scarlet Flower,” directed by N. Belousova, role of Lyubava;
- May 2025 – VII International Puppet Theater Festival “Orteke” (Almaty). The play “MEN...”, written and directed by N. Sabashvili – diploma for “Best Acting Ensemble”;
- September 2025 – I International Puppet Theater Festival “NOMAD PUPPET” (Aktau). Play “MEN...”, written and directed by N. Sabashvili – special award from the akim of Mangistau region;
- September 2025 – VII International Puppet Theater Festival “Assalauumagaleikum-VII” (Aktobe). The play “MEN...”, written and directed by N. Sabashvili – Grand Prix in the category “Best Performance.”
Another key achievement of the theater is the opening of a baby theater for the youngest viewers in May 2025. This project, which had been postponed for many years, became a bright and long-awaited event. It is aimed not only at giving children their first theatrical experience, but also at educating parents, emphasizing the importance of early interaction with art.
In its short history, the puppet theater has achieved significant success in the development and popularization of theatrical art. Today, it is modern, in demand, with a rich repertoire, and successfully implements various innovative theatrical projects.
