Prominent Russian drama academy fires professor and former dean who made anti-war statements

Natalia Pivovarova, former dean of the Faculty of Theater Studies at the Russian Institute of Theater Arts (GITIS), has been fired, according to her post on social media. Pivovarova has made multiple anti-war statements. Early in March, she was dismissed from her senior post at the Mikhail Shchepkin Memorial House.

“Here comes the end of my GITIS odyssey. It lasted for 48 years. But all things come to an end. There's a war going on. What else could I do? I don't work there anymore, not in any capacity. It was to be expected,” she wrote.

According to Pivovarova, GITIS suddenly asked her to submit her resignation, despite having sent her the timetable of classes for the new academic year. When she refused to step down, she was told that her contract would not be renewed.

At the institute, Pivovarova occupied the post of associate professor at the Russian Theater History Department of the Faculty of Theater Arts.