HISTORY
Theater 86 is an award-winning, not-for-profit theater company based in New York City. Originally founded in 2004 as The Russian Arts Theater and Studio, the theater was created with the hopes of sharing the rich traditions of Slavic theater arts and literature with contemporary audiences in America. Additionally, a studio was created to pass on the unique Stanislavsky theater training to actors. Since its founding, the company has gone on to stage numerous productions throughout stages in New York, providing critically-acclaimed plays as well as stage adaptations of beloved novels. Past works include works by Ivan Bunin, Mikhail Bulgakov, Anton Chekhov, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Nikolai Gogol, Maxim Gorky, Alexander Pushkin, George Orwell, Roald Dahl and more. Inside the intimate Pushkin Hall on West 86th street, the company built shows with actors from all backgrounds—Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Latvia, France, Germany, Italy, Guinea-Bissau, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, China, Israel, Turkey, Armenia, Australia, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Serbia. At our core, we are New York emigres—misfits who live in this cramped and over-priced city because we value its diversity, varied opinions and the freedom to express them. As our repertoire began to reflect the faces that gave voices to them, we looked for a new name that was void of a singular nationality. It is with this in mind that we changed our company to Theater 86. We look forward to sharing our journey with you.
MISSION
Currently, our mission is two-fold. Firstly, through the exploration of new theatrical works as well as progressive re-imaginings of Slavic classics, we aim to cultivate, promote and advance theater arts for the Upper West Side community. Secondly, through an affordable and accessible theater education program, we aim to pass on the teachings of Konstantin Stanislavsky to a new generation of New York actors.
ADVISORY BOARD
Rosemary Harris
Dana Ivey
Judith Ivey
Sir Derek Jakobi
Aleksey Burago | Artistic Director
A graduate of the Moscow Academy of Theatre Arts (GITIS), Aleksey studied under the world famous Russian director Pytor Fomenko. He has directed many productions to critical acclaim in Europe and America, including Beyond Recognition, which had a sold-out run at the Hermitage Theatre in St. Petersburg. His television production of Queen of Spades (Moscow TV) also received rave reviews. In New York, Aleksey has directed many productions, including On the Eve (Obie Nominee), Ah, My Dear Anderson (Time Out NY Critic’s Pick), Gamblers, The Master and Margarita, Lady with a Lapdog With Jokes and a Happy Ending, Vassa, An Absolutely Happy Village, In Paris, The Seagull, The Magic Forest of Baba Yaga, The Bear, The Great Nothing, Uncle Vanya, Avenue of Wonder, My Uncle Chekhov, Crime and Punishment, Three Sisters and Swan Song. His latest production of Mikhail Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita, Or, The Devil Comes to Moscow played to rave reviews and enjoyed a sold-out run at the West End Theater. Aleksey is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Best Director Award at the Moscow Annual Festival of Classical Plays, Best Director Award at the St. Petersburg Comedy Festival, and the Best Show Award at the International United Solo Festival in NYC. Additionally, Aleksey's creation of Billy Bob Boils the Sea was selected to represent the United States at the 9th International Ordu Youth and Children’s Festival in Turkey. As a teacher, Aleksey has taught around the world, including Theatre Academy and Conservatory in St. Petersburg, GITIS Scandinavia in Denmark, International Festival in Mexico, Theater Communications Laboratory in Japan, Bilkent University in Turkey, and Manhattanville College and HB Studio in New York City.
Di Zhu | Managing Director
Di Zhu is an actress, pianist and the Managing Director at The Russian Arts Theater and Studio. The Grand Prize Winner of the Inaugural International New York Piano Competition, Di's piano performances have been featured nationally on PBS, as well as WXXI and WQXR. As an actress, Di has appeared in many stage productions, most recently as Margarita in The Master and Margarita, which played to rave reviews. Other appearances include Lady With a Lapdog With Jokes And A Happy Ending, Enemies Of The People, Three Sisters, Crime and Punishment, Avenue of Wonder, Swan Song, My Uncle Chekhov, The Bear, Uncle Vanya, and The Seagull. Di was invited to join the cast of Love, Laughter and Vodka With Anton Chekhov: Selected Shorts Live at Symphony Space, where she performed Anton Chekhov's Death of a Government Clerk, sharing the stage with many notable actors of stage and film, including Rainn Wilson and Cynthia Nixon. Other New York theater credits include Theatre Three Collaborative's The Beekeeper's Daughter, Extreme Whether, and Another Life. Film and TV credits include Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, The Blindspot, A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood and WeCrashed.