Gulzina Bakytzhanovna Mirgalieva

Artistic Director of the Kazakh National Musical Drama Theatre named after Kalibek Kuanishbaev,

Honored Worker of Kazakhstan,

Laureate of the Independent “Tarlan” Award,

Laureate of the “Enlikgul” Professional Theatre Award,

Winner of the “Sakhnaer-2019” National Theatre Award,

Recipient of the TURKSOY Organization’s 7th International “ANADOLU” Theatre Award for contribution to the theatre space of the Turkic world,

Gulzina Bakytzhanovna Mirgalieva was born on February 20, 1975, in the Samara region of the Russian Federation, in the village of Koshkino, Bolshechernigovsky district. Her father, Bakytjan, was a tractor brigade leader, and her mother worked for many years in the cultural field. Her mother’s career in culture directly influenced Gulzina’s choice of the artistic path. Almost every member of her family chose a career in the arts.

She received her secondary education at Augustosky Secondary School from 1982 to 1992. From 1995 to 2000, she studied at the Kazakh National Academy of Arts named after T. Zhurgenov in the “Drama Directing” program under the guidance of Maman Baiserkekuly.

She began her creative career as a stage director at the Sh. Kusayinov Regional Drama Theatre in Kokshetau. In 2002, she became the artistic director and chief director of the Mangystau Regional Musical Drama Theatre. She is one of the founders of the theatre. Over the years, Gulzina Bakytzhanovna has established herself as an excellent organizer and a successful creative figure, repeatedly winning awards at various festivals.

In 2000, she received the “Best Director Debut” award at the 8th Festival of Theatres of Kazakhstan for the production of N. Gogol’s “The Inspector”;

In 2001, at the First National Theatre Blitz-Festival of Small Comedies, she won the Grand Prix for the play “Conveyor”;

At the National Festival of Youth and Children’s Theatrical Productions, she received the “Tusah Keser” nomination for T. Alipbaev’s “Tomiris”;

In 2003, at the 11th National Theatre Festival, she received the “Director’s Exploration” award for B. Bedelkhanuly’s “Makhambet”;

In 2004, she became the laureate of the “Tarlan” Independent Award;

In 2004, at the 7th “Shabyt” International Festival of Creative Youth, she won the Grand Prix and the “Best Director” nomination for the play “38 or Karakurtt,” based on 38 of Abai’s words;

In 2005, she received the diploma for “Creative New Explorations” for the production of “38 or Karakurtt” at the 13th National Theatre Festival;

In 2006, she was awarded the “Azhar” prize among Kazakhstan’s successful women;

In 2006, she received the title of Honored Worker of Kazakhstan;

In 2008, at the 16th National Theatre Festival of Kazakhstan, she won first place with the play “Cunning Beauty” by F. Erve;

In 2011, at the 19th National Theatre Festival, she won the “Best Director’s Decision” award for S. Kudaibergenov’s “Maternity House,” and actress Mayra Bakberdieva won the “Best Female Image” nomination;

In 2012, at the 20th National Theatre Festival, she received the “Best Director” award for the production of “Zilzala” by M. Auezov and S. Zweig;

In 2013, she became the laureate of the “Enlikgul” Professional Theatre Award;

In 2013, she was the author and director of the screenplay for the film “Kausar”;

In 2013, she acted in B. Khudoynazarov’s film “In Expectation of the Sea”;

In 2013, at the First National Theatre Festival for Actors “Tungyshbay Al-Tarazi Invites to Taraz” in Taraz, actress Mankeva Banu won the nomination for “Best Acting Mastery” for her role as Nazy in the psychological drama “I Searched for You”;

In 2014, at the 5th International Theatre Festival of Central Asian Countries in Aktau, for her roles in the production of “Zilzala,” Gulzya Ziyatova, Aynur Abenova, and Banu Mankeva won the “Best Supporting Role” nomination;

In 2015, she received the medal from the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan;

In 2016, at the “ABISH WORLD” First National Theatre Festival in Aktau, based on the story of Abish Kekilbayev’s “Shyngyrau,” her play won the “Best Production” award – the Grand Prix, as well as the “Abish Kekilbayev Prize”;

In 2016, at the 24th National Festival of Kazakhstan Drama Theatres, dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Independence, in Aktobe, the actor K. Basharov won the “Best Male Image” for his role in William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”;

In 2017, at the International Black Sea Theatre Festival in Turkey, for the production of “Hamlet,” she received the TURKSOY diploma;

In 2017, she was awarded the “Nurmukhan Zhantorin” medal;

In 2019, at the 27th National Theatre Festival of Kazakhstan, actor M. Omiraliyev won the “Best Male Image” for his role as Alihan in the play “Alihan’s Legacy” by N. Saudanbekuly;

In 2019, she became the winner of the “Sakhnaer-2019” National Theatre Award;

In 2021, she was appointed the director of the Manggystau Regional Musical Drama Theatre named after N. Zhantorin;

In 2021, she received the 7th TURKSOY International Theatre Award “ANADOLU” for her contribution to the theatre space of the Turkic world;

In 2022, at the “Theatrical Imereti – 2022” International Theatre Festival in Georgia, for the play “Khanuma” by A. Tsagareli, she won the “Best Staging Interpretation of Georgian Drama” and the “Best Acting Ensemble” nominations;

In 2024, she became the Artistic Director of the Kazakh National Musical Drama Theatre named after Kalibek Kuanishbaev.

My belief in the uniqueness of each artist has led to the uniqueness of the entire theatre. Perhaps, this is a sign that we have chosen the right path.