The Kherson Theater Has Lost Half Its Staff Due to the War

The Mykola Kulish Music and Drama Theater in Kherson has lost more than half of its staff due to the full-scale war—only 115 of its 250 employees remain.

This was reported by the theater’s general director and artistic director, Oleksandr Knyha, in an interview with Ukrinform.

According to Knyga, the theater’s creative departments have suffered the greatest losses. Only two dancers remain from the ballet troupe.

The orchestra has been partially restored—it now consists of 12 musicians.

“All the departments are operating, but the troupe performs very rarely. That’s why we hired several novice actors in 2023. And my task is to find productions in which they can grow,” Knyga noted.

The general director explained that experienced artists are currently not ready to relocate to Kherson for work.

“Given the situation we find ourselves in due to the war, unfortunately, highly professional artists will not come to work at our theater,” he added.

He also noted that since early May 2026, the theater has been operating in a different venue. The troupe moved to ensure the safety of the audience, as the main building is located in the “red zone,” which is difficult to reach due to constant shelling.

Knyga also explained that in Kherson, almost all cultural life currently takes place in shelters —where festivals, performances, concerts, workshops, roundtables, and meetings with foreign guests are held.

“I always joke that in Ukraine’s history there was once what was called ‘pit culture,’ and in the current period of martial law—‘basement culture,’” the CEO noted.

According to him, artists and all residents of Kherson are not giving up, and culture remains one of the most effective ways to resist the enemy.

An exhibition featuring paintings looted by the Russians from the Kherson Regional Art Museum recently opened in Odesa.

Ірина Глухова