History and General Information

The history of the Department of Performing Arts began in 1995 with the support of the respected mentor Raiymbek Noghaibaiuly Seitmetov, a People’s Artist of Kazakhstan, recipient of state and youth awards, an arts figure whose work has contributed to the cultural life of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, an academician of the Academy of Natural Sciences, a professor, holder of the Parasat Order, recipient of the highest degree of the Tarlan Award, and holder of the gold medal in the “Theatre Arts” category. The department was established with the introduction of programme 0602, “Performing Arts,” and programme 060240, “Acting.”

Professor R. Seitmetov was appointed head of the department and invited highly qualified specialists to teach. They included theatre critic and Professor B. Kundakbayev; Candidate of Philological Sciences and Associate Professor A. Sh. Kuzhakhmetova; Candidate of Philological Sciences and Associate Professor K. M. Seitmetov; Candidate of Philological Sciences A. Zhumash; distinguished cultural figures of Kazakhstan M. K. Baubekov and A. Kuzdubayeva; and singer A. N. Duisenov, a diploma winner at the republican “Zhas Kanat–95” song competition. These educators began teaching the first classes.

Renowned actors were invited to conduct master classes, including People’s Artists of the Republic of Kazakhstan A. Ashimov, S. Orazbayev and D. Turankulova, as well as theatre critic A. Syğai. While guiding students in the creation of stage roles, R. Seitmetov introduced a distinctive approach to acting and new teaching methods, helping develop original performers with individual artistic styles. Beginning in their third year, the first students started staging performances in two languages. From 1997, they toured several cities in Turkey, where they performed in Turkish the historical drama “Kök Türikter” by B. Bakhavuden and S. Balgabayev’s dramas “The Most Beautiful Young Woman” and “When a Girl Turns Twenty.”

            In 2001, the “Music Education” and “Design” specialisations were added to the Department of Performing Arts.

            In 2004, the “Vocal Arts,” “Traditional Arts” and “Choreography” specialisations were opened. People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Professor Rakhima Zhubaturova was invited from Almaty to teach traditional music, along with People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kazhybek Bekbosyn.

            Today, the Department of Performing Arts offers bachelor’s degree programmes in 6B02122 — Traditional Music, 6B02123 — Acting, 6B02124 — Choreography, 6B02165 — Pop Arts, 6B01406 — Music Education, 6B01426 — Music Education (IP), and 6B02196 — Musical Theatre Artist Training.

Heads of the Department:

1995–2004 — Professor R. Seitmetov;

2004–2006 — K. K. Bekbosyn;

2006–2011 — E. Issatayev, Honoured Cultural Figure of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

2011–2016 — S. Yeleuov, Honoured Cultural Figure of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Associate Professor;

2016–2020 — B. Ospanov, Candidate of Art Studies and Associate Professor;

2020–2024 — A. Botakaraev, Honoured Cultural Figure of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

2024–2025 — D. Yelzhanov, an outstanding cultural-sector employee of the Republic of Kazakhstan and senior lecturer;

2025–2027 — U. A. Kuletova, an outstanding cultural-sector employee of the Republic of Kazakhstan and senior lecturer.

2025–2026 academic year                                                   2026–2027 academic year

Number of Academic Staff: 41                                            Number of Academic Staff: 41

Number of Students: 214                                                     Number of Students: 233