[4] Leonid Sergeevich Vivian was appointed professor at the school in 1940 and from 1957 was head of the acting department.

[15][16] It is the largest professional theatre school in Europe, with faculty numbering more than 330, around 230 support staff, and over 1550 students.

[1] The institute teaches along similar lines as the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts in Moscow.

[4] It covers a range of performing arts: drama, musical theatre, puppetry, variety shows, and television.

[1] The institute also hosts various international festivals, conferences and competitions, as well as student and teacher exchange programs.