RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan, visited the G. Sundukyan National Academic Theatre, where, as part of the “Theatre Week” events, she participated in the program titled “Theatre Lesson” with public school pupils.

Director of the theatre Vardan Mkrtchyan accompanied the Minister.

Zhanna Andreasyan greeted the pupils and participants of the “Classics + Classroom” Theatrical-Educational Program, noting that being a participant of this program is of unique significance: “We have been implementing the “Classics + Classroom” Theatrical-Educational Program for several years now. The objective is to have the chance to work with gifted children within the scope of the program, providing professional orientation, guiding them towards theatre and theatre-related professions, and teaching them to be good theatre spectators. Being a theatre spectator and working on stage are different emotions. I am sure that after this program you will attend the performances with different feelings,” stated Zhanna Andreasyan.

According to the Minister, the ESCS Ministry is convinced that all children are talented, and the education system and programs should identify and advance their talents.

“This program also aims to develop and stimulate your creative thinking through interaction with experts in the field,” said the Minister and congratulated the representatives of theatre art on World Theatre Day.

Then, Minister Zhanna Andreasyan, together with pupils, watched the rehearsals of the participants of the new phase of the “Classics + Classroom” Theatrical-Educational Program, on various platforms of the theatre.

The 60 schoolchildren who made it through the program's two competitive stages worked in five theatre groups. The performances prepared during the three-week intensive classes will be presented to the audience on April 5.

Within the framework of “Theatre Week”, the schoolchildren toured the theatre, got acquainted with the history of the theatre, backstage, and workshops, and expanded their imagination and knowledge of theatre through the information received and Q&A sessions.

Note that the new phase of the “Classics + Classroom” Theatrical-Educational Program was launched on March 18, 2025. The program group leaders are Armen Marutyan, Arthur Karapetyan, Armen Qushkyan, Gevorg Davtyan, Hayk Israeylyan. The lecturers are Lusine Kostanyan, Ruzanna Hakhnazaryan, Araksya Melikyan, Arina Araratyan, Narine Israyelyan.

It is worth mentioning that the “Classics + Classroom” Theatrical-Educational Program was launched in 2019 and is implemented with the support of the RA ESCS Ministry on the initiative of the Gabriel Sundukyan National Academic Theatre. It is intended for VET and high school students of the Republic and aims to strengthen the ties between the theatre and the school.