Theatre historian, theatre critic, Honored Artist of the RSFSR, PhD in Arts, professor, principal of the Shchepkin Higher Theater School.

He graduated from the Theater Studies Faculty (P. Markov’s course, 1969) and finished GITIS Postgraduate Studies (1974). Has been teaching at GITIS since 1973.
Since the mid-1960’s his works have been published in periodicals. As a theater critic, writing in various theatrical and critical genres, he influences the current contemporary theatrical process and repertoire policy of the theaters. Since 1982 he’s been the head of the GITIS Theater History and Theater Criticism Department (since 1989 — the History of Russian Theater Department). Since 1999 he’s been deputy art director at the literary and dramatic department of the State Academic Maly Theater. Since 2007 — principal of the Shchepkin Higher Theatre School (Institute) affiliated with the Russian SAMT.

Member of the jury of various theatrical festivals. Member of the jury of the Alexander Solzhenitsyn Literary Award. From 1999 to 2004 — Vice-President of the Russian Culture Foundation.

Chevalier of the Order For Merit to the Fatherland of the IV class, Chevalier of the Order of Friendship, Chevalier of the Order of Honor.