performance artist
Margarita Makhanova has a strong background in theatre performance, with her first role on stage being in 2012. She has had lead female roles in a range of international plays, from works by Bernard Shaw to Dostoevsky. She also wrote and staged a short play about the first Ukrainian-born star of Imperial Russian silent cinema.
Performing in theatrical salons and elevating acting skills at Moscow Art Theatre School, Margarita has a strong understanding of Stanislavsky’s, Chekhov’s and Meyerhold’s acting methodologies.
Performative-based art came as a natural result of this acting knowledge, focusing on performance as a way to address political disputes, inequality and freedom of speech through body language and art. This approach is strongly rooted in the theatre practice and Margarita’s performative practice is influenced by Marina Abramović, ŠKART Collective and Kirill Serebrennikov.
List of performances
2019
The House With A View To The Field by Alexander Vampilov
theatre lounge salon vinci
This story is a one-act romantic play set in the 1960s remote Soviet village. The love conflict is between Vladimir Tretyakov, a city-raised geography teacher, and Lidia Astafieva, an activist and the head of the local milk farm. Such opposition of a city and village spirit forces characters to make choices to save the relationship.
The play was directed as Vladimir and Lidia are already married and are going through a dilemma between moving to a big city or staying in a village, admitting their love to each other and courage to be together.
2019
Barren by Margarita Makhanova & Vladlena Lisichkina
theatre-studio duet
Margarita wrote and staged a short play about the first Ukranian-born star of Imperial Russian silent cinema — Vera Kholodnaya. Margarita played a dual spirit of Vera and was awarded a diploma for the best performance at the Theatre Days in Rossoni.
2018
Uncle’s Dream by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Theatre-studio duet
A play based on the 1859 novella about love within social constraints, envious society and foul chase after wealth. Margarita as the head of the ‘society’ — Natalia Dimitrievna.
The Grand Prix at the International Festival-Creative Laboratory Amongst Children’s and Youth Amateur Theater Groups “Grani 2019”.
Diploma for the best Theatre Production at the Open Festival-contest Amongst Youth Theatre-studios “Suler”.
2017
The Legend of Thyl Ulenspiegel and Lamme Goedzak by Charles De Coster
Vzmakh school theatre
A theatre production show about a Flemish prankster, betrayal, love, religion, government and the rebellion against it. Margarita is the lead female role as Thyl’s fiancee — Nele.
curator & event manager 