Many educated viewers know the catch phrase that theater begins with a coat rack. To this expression, we can add that the place for this very hanger is determined by the main director. Mikhail Levitin has been working as a chief director at the Hermitage Theater for over thirty years.
Starting conditions
Not everyone is as lucky in life as Mikhail Zakharovich Levitin. The famous director was born on December 27, 1945 in an intelligent family. Parents at that time lived in Odessa. His father worked as an engineer, and his mother taught a course in Marxism-Leninism at the Polytechnic Institute. The child grew up in a favorable environment. From an early age he was prepared for an independent life. Misha learned to read and count early. His mother often took him to work with her, since there were not enough places in the kindergarten for everyone.
At school, Levitin studied well. His favorite subjects were history and literature. He actively participated in public life and in amateur art competitions. I carefully observed how peers live, what they dream about and what goals they set for themselves in the future. In high school I got carried away with classes in a drama studio. Has performed various roles on the school stage. It was during this period that he was fascinated by the director's work. Mikhail even staged the play on his own and showed it at the city competition.
Professional activity
Having received a certificate of maturity, Levitin went to receive specialized education in Moscow. He successfully entered the directing department of the legendary VGIK. In 1969, already a certified specialist, he came to work at the Taganka Theater. The performance was greeted by the audience and critics alike. Then, for several years, Mikhail, as they say, traveled to various stage venues, where he was trusted to demonstrate his professionalism. Only in 1978 he was invited to "permanent" in the Theater of Miniatures.
In the biography of Levitin it is noted that he began to prepare performances based on the works of authors who were considered “not theatrical”. Among them were Isaac Babel, Gabriel Marquez, Mikhail Zhvanetsky. "New Metal" literally broke the prevailing stereotypes and patterns. In 1987, Levitin took over as chief director and made preparations for the renaming of the theater. From that moment on, it became known as the Hermitage. In parallel with directing, Mikhail is engaged in literary creativity.
Personal life
Levitin's theatrical career was developing successfully. The same can be said about literary activity. You can easily write a script for a series about your personal life. Something like "Santa Barbara". For the first time, Mikhail Zakharovich was impatient to marry while still a student. Unearthly love, no other explanation was found. Time passed, and he met the now famous actress Olga Ostroumova. The husband and wife lived for no less than twenty-three years. They raised and raised two children - a son and a daughter. The reason for the divorce was another passion.
Today Mikhail Levitin lives in his third marriage. The couple are raising a daughter. The director and writer are in good physical shape. Manages to manage a theater, write books and help her children.
