The main purpose of our theatre is to enrich lives of many residents of the Bay Area and its vicinities, particularly Russian-speaking audiences, by presenting them with live theatre of great quality and in the best traditions of internationally acclaimed Russian classical theater. For Russian refugees so vastly present in the Bay Area, older members of community frequently have difficulties with English language hence without Russian speaking performers are unable to enjoy the theatre. We are planning to do American classical authors in this project with the purpose of making it easier for the same group of people to learn American culture in their adjusting to live in a new world. Trying to maintain best traditions of classic theatre, we are also looking for new forms and plays to develop and nurture artistic taste in young generation of Russian Speaking community as well as other ethnic groups of theatre-lovers.

The main activity of Theatre "YOU",inc. is theatrical productions. The organization is based on the love for theatre and desire to bring accessible theatre to lives of many, by the group of enthusiasts. All participants have primary occupation and full time jobs, and devote all their spare time to rehearsing, performing and undertaking all other auxiliary tasks necessary for completing the project. None of the participants is reimbursed for their participation. Our artistic director is the only professional with formal education in the field. The rest of the crew is volunteers who are trying to bring art and culture in our everyday lives.

The main audience is Russian Speaking community. Overall, there are about 250,000 residing in San Francisco and Bay area It includes many refugees, lots of elderly with limited income who with our below standard prices get opportunity to see high quality theatre.

We make special efforts to reach broad segment of the community by staging variety of plays to interest different ages and social groups of Russian Speaking community, again charging less than theatres usually do for admissions. In plans also attracting other ethnic groups by creating English supratitles in all our performances 05.01.2009 |Organizational details

Theatre YOU, inc. was incorporated on June 4th, 2007. It was born out of the theatre studio "On the backyard", theater with similar structure, but without formal organization witch had being in existence for almost 10 years.

Theatre YOU, inc. is a Nonprofit, Charitable Organization with 501 (c)(3) status

The board of Directors:

    Marina Chechelnitsky, one of the founding directors, CEO;

    Vladimir Bazarsky, one of the founding directors, business and marketing;

    Alexandr Liznenkov, one of the founding directors, Artistic Director;

    Irina Lyssyakevich, joined the company in 2008, CFO and accounting;

05.01.2009 |We are Theatre "YOU"

About 10 years ago, there was a small group of people who loved theater. They got together and started traveling from backyard to backyard, performing plays and skits. That’s how "Theater on the Backyard' was born.

As time passed their ambitions grew, and they no longer were willing to entertain people on the backyards. So they moved their plays inside, onto the big stage of Temple Beth Am, where they became famous among Russian Speaking Community by the ”Forget Gerostratus" by G. Gorin, "French Olivie" compiled of french short plays and "Honeymoon" by G. Barilly. That was the end of ”Theater on the Backyard" and beginning of new era with the new name and new mission...

Theatre "YOU" has finished it's first season by the sold out performance of "Honeymoon" by G.Barilli in Mountain View Center for Performing Arts.

With director Aleksandr Liznenkov, group of enthusiasts is working hard to make the new season rich and interesting using new forms, as well as best traditions of Russian and International theatre. Planned for 2008 are "Little tragedies" by Pushkin, "Shadow" by E.Schwarts etc. Performances are in Russian, but English synopsis is offered, and subtitles will be available in the future.

Please, visit us, become our supporter. You won't regret it.

Thanks,

Theater "YOU"