Interview with Dmitry Pastukhov, artistic director and Chief choreographer of the Astrakhan Dance Theater.
Dmitry, tell us where you were born and received your primary education?
I was born in the city of Rasskazovo, Tambov region. When I was 14 years old, my parents and I moved to the city of Astrakhan. Here I continued my studies and graduated from music school.
What kind of education did you receive and what institution did you graduate from? Why did you choose this particular direction?
In 1987, I entered the Cultural Education College. I entered the choreography department. After six months of study, I joined the Lazur ensemble to A. N. Abakumov. He instilled in me a love of dance. In 1990, I graduated from the School of Culture in Astrakhan, and was drafted into the army. Subsequently, I received a bachelor’s degree in Moscow, and in Volgograd, and a master’s degree at Astrakhan State University in Astrakhan.
Tell us how your creative career began?
My creative career began in 1990 in the army. I danced in Rostov, in the song and dance ensemble of the North Caucasian Military District. After that, in the State Dance Ensemble “Ural” in Chelyabinsk and the State Academic Dance Theater “Gzhel” in Moscow, as a soloist of the highest category, a master of the stage. My creative life continued on foreign contracts: UAE, Egypt, France, Germany, Bulgaria, Turkey, Uganda, Cyprus, Japan, Qatar, Israel, South Korea. Over the years, my dancing career has also worked in circus shows as an artist of the original genre (monocycle balance, fakir, pair acrobatics).
Why did you decide to create your own team, and how did you promote your project?
In 2013, on the basis of the Directorate for the Implementation of cultural and mass programs, I was offered to create a variety professional group “Astrakhan Dance Theater”. I wanted to do not just dance numbers, but full-fledged performances in different dance styles. Now my team has expanded. We are increasing our dance repertoire and continue to tour actively.
What difficulties are there in touring?
Before touring, there is always active preparation, then going on tour, buses along with props, a difficult move. Immediately after arriving at the tour site, stage preparation, props, rehearsals from early morning, then immediately performance, dismantling and a new move. And so it is every day. It’s very hard, but thanks to the love for our profession and the cause we serve, everything goes professionally.
What can you wish your followers and colleagues for their development?
I want to wish my colleagues perseverance, do not stop there, strive for something better, study, defend their opinions, live honestly, strive to do good and do their job professionally!