Tolenbaev Zhanqaldybek Muftiyuly

Zhanqaldybek Tolenbaev Muftiyuly was born on June 3, 1973, in Aksuat village, Tarbagatay district, East Kazakhstan region.

From 1980 to 1990, he completed his studies at Aksuat secondary school.

From 1990 to 1991, he worked as a cinema mechanic at the District House of Culture.

From 1991 to 1993, he served in the Soviet Army.

From 1995 to 1999, he graduated from the Theater and Cinema Department of the T. Zhurgenov Kazakh National Academy of Arts, majoring in “Musical Comedy Actor” under the mentorship of Professor and Honored Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Rakhila Mashurova.

In 1999, upon the invitation of People’s Hero A. Mambetov, he began working as an actor at the Kalibek Kuanyshbaev State Academic Kazakh Musical Drama Theater in the capital, where he has continued his career.

Creative Achievements:

In 2000, he actively participated in events dedicated to Kazakhstan’s Cultural Year in Russia, receiving high praise from the audience.

In 2001, he was awarded the 1st-degree diploma at the First Republican Theater Mini-Comedies Blitz Festival for the performance “Tarakan iz-za granitsy” (Cockroach from Abroad).

In 2001, he became a laureate of the International “Shabyt” Festival.

In 2002, he was awarded the 2nd-degree diploma at the International Shabyt Youth Creative Festival.

In 2002, he won the Grand Prix at the “Tazsha Bala” competition.

In 2004, he received the “Honorary Certificate” from the Union of Theater Workers of Kazakhstan.

From 2004 to 2008, he was an actor at the “Astana Dumaan” comedy theater.

From 2006 to 2010, he worked as an actor at the National Traditional Theater of the Presidential Cultural Center. Notably, he played the roles of Alpamys in “Alpamys Batyr,” Kuderkoja in M. Zholdasbekov’s “Ulbike,” and portrayed the noble characters of our ancestors such as Aladar Kose in the performance “Armysyn, Az Nauryz” at a very high level.

In 2007, he hosted the “Ezu Tartar” program on “Astana” TV channel.

In 2007, he was awarded the “Honorary Certificate” by the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Roles on the Theater Stage:

M. Auezov, “Abai” – Zhirenche
M. Auezov, “Enlik-Kebek” – Abiz
M. Auezov, “Karagoz” – Dulat
M. Auezov, “Kara Kipshak Kobylandy” – Koklan
M. Auezov, “Aiman-Sholpan” – Maman
G. Musirepov, “Akan Seri – Aktoqty” – Nauan
G. Musirepov, “Kyz Zhibek” – Bazarbay
G. Musirepov, “Kozy Korpesh – Bayan Sulu” – Zantik
Sh. Aitmatov, “Asyrdan da Uzakh Kun” – Sabitjan
Sh. Aitmatov, “Ak Keme” – Orazkul
W. Shakespeare, “Hamlet” – Actor
W. Shakespeare, “Romeo and Juliet” – Prince
S. Turgunbekuly, “Mukhagali” – Mukhagali
F. Ongarsinova, “Dalanin Kuishi Dinasy” – Akhmet Zhubanov
J. Patrick, “Dear Pamela” – Sol Bozo
J. Almasuly, “Baiterek Basindagi Kedeesu” – Isatai
V. Delmar, “Bayanzyz Bak” – George
E. Zhuasbek, “Uilen” – Terek
E. Zhuasbek, “Teren Tamyrlar” – “Kara Agash”
D. Ramazan, “Kenesary – Kunjimzan” – Kongyrkulja
D. Ramazan, “Abai Khan’s Dream” – Kaldan Seren
A. Tsagereli, “Gamardzhoba” – Akop
T. Dzhudzhenoglu, “Koshkin” – Otagasy
M. Frish, “Don Juan’s Ball” – Don Hansalo
E. Khushvakhtov, “Kyzyl Alma” – MMM
K. Zhienbai, “Tangazhayyp Planeta” – Molda
S. Balghabayev, “Makhabbat Sikyry” – Alpan Balpanovich
Sh. Aitmatov, “Aqqudyng Koz Zhasy” – Abdilhan
E. Shvarts, “Kulshykiz” – Patsha
R. Otarbaev, “Amire” – Mustafa Shokay
Sh. Aitmatov, “Kyzyl Oramaldy Shynarym” – Baytemir
U. Esdaulat, “Zere” – Kengirbay Bi
W. Shakespeare, “Othello” – Amir
T. Asemkulov, “Kunambai” – Barak
R. Mukhanova, “Bopai Khanim” – Barak Sultan
M. Auezov, “Aiman-Sholpan” – Maman
G. Musirepov, “Bayan Sulu – Kozy Korpesh” – Karabay

For over 15 years, Zhanqaldybek Tolenbaev has been performing the role of Mukaghali Makatayev in Serik Turgunbekuly’s poetic drama “Mukaghali,” which is dedicated to the great Kazakh poet. The portrayal of Mukaghali in Tolenbaev’s performance has gained immense popularity, making it one of the most requested and attended performances in the theater’s repertoire.

Roles in Films Produced by Kazakhfilm:

“Almas Qylsh” – Warrior Zengi
“Birjan Sal” – Esaul Khalmaq
In the documentary film “Mukhagali’s Truth” – as Mukaghali, authored by S. Janbolat, directed by S. Ibraim.
“Astana Dumaan” – Satirical humorist
“Katish and Tatish” – Katish grandmother

Zhanqaldybek Tolenbaev has contributed significantly to the development of Kazakhstan’s theater art by touring countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Bashkortostan, and others.

In 2012, as part of the cultural cooperation between Kazakhstan and Turkey, Tolenbaev performed the role of Kongyrkulja in the Turkish-language production of Duman Ramazan’s “Kenesary-Kunjimzan,” presented for the first time in Istanbul and Ankara from November 10-16, 2012.

In 2019, the “Sakhna” theater, founded by Zhanqaldybek Tolenbaev and Gulbarshin Kylishbay, participated in a theater festival in the Kyrgyz Republic. The play “Sen Ekeuimiz” (written by J. Kulmambet, directed by D. Sergazin) won the “Best Foreign Theater Performing a Kyrgyz Author’s Work” award at the “Ergü-2019” National Theater Prize.

In 2020, for his outstanding contribution to the development of the cultural sector and his long-term work in advancing the nation’s culture, Zhanqaldybek Tolenbaev was awarded the “Excellence in Culture” badge by the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In 2021, based on the annual analysis of the creative output of state and private theaters, Zhanqaldybek Tolenbaev was awarded the “Critic’s Prize” in the category of “Best Actor in a Supporting Role” by the International Theater Critics’ Association for his portrayal of Barak Sultan in the play Bopai Khanim.