Alexander Nikanorov, director of the Bolshoi Drama Theater named after GA. Tovstonogov in St. Petersburg, has gone missing. A post about his disappearance appeared in a group on the evening of September 22, shared by Contemporary Theatre in the VKontakte social network.
“I haven’t been able to communicate or be at home for several days. If anyone saw him in the last two days, please inform us. I left home on a blue bicycle. I left my phone at home; there is no use calling”, the message reads.
What is known about the disappearance
According to 78.ru, after Nikanorov did not arrive at a rehearsal, friends and colleagues organized a search party. Actress Daria Kulak noted that nothing like this had ever happened before. The portal reports that close relatives reacted strangely when asked about the director’s whereabouts, and those familiar with him say he appeared worried in the days prior to his disappearance.
People close to him note that everyone claims to have seen him a few days earlier and learned of his absence through social networks. A search team in St. Petersburg, LizaAlert, posted notices about his disappearance on social media, stating that his whereabouts had been unknown since September 21 and that he had a bicycle with him at the time. The missing person’s description lists a man about 170 cm tall, slim build, brown hair, and gray eyes, with glasses as a distinguishing feature.
Depression and note
Reports from 78.ru indicate that the director had been dealing with depression. A colleague recalled that his career was thriving, yet there were moments when he withdrew into himself. A relative described him as an absolutely balanced person who lived with a steady creative routine.
After disappearance, the director’s partner found a note at his apartment on Kazanskaya Street and alerted the police. The note asked readers not to blame anyone for his death and apologized. It was also reported that the director had left his passport at the apartment, which added to the uncertainty surrounding his status.
Ten days prior to the disappearance, Nikanorov celebrated his 40th birthday. In a message to friends, he hinted that he was not answering calls as often as before, suggesting a sense of distance from his usual social circle. His current status remained unresolved at the time of reporting.
Regarding his background, Nikanorov studied dramatic directing and acting, graduating with honors from a respected theater academy in St. Petersburg in 2013. He later earned a master’s degree at a renowned theater institution in the city. In 2014, he joined the artistic team of the Bolshoi Drama Theater and contributed to several productions, including stage adaptations that blended classic and contemporary sensibilities. He also participated in contemporary European drama programs and festivals that featured his work, including an immersive culinary-themed show and national theater Olympiads.
As the search continued, colleagues reflected on Nikanorov’s professional journey. They described him as a talented artist with a deep commitment to his craft, whose creative curiosity led him to explore diverse theatrical forms and collaborative ventures across major venues in the region. The incident drew attention not only to his artistic contributions but also to the personal challenges that can accompany high-profile careers in the performing arts. Attribution: reports from 78.ru and local theatre press provide the basis for these details.