About
Masha Kotlova is an actress and director, who was originally known for being a musical actress and has starred in Russian musicals such as “Nord Ost”, “Cats”, “Chicago” and “12 chairs”. She started her training in theater at the age of 16 while studying theater art at the Russian Academy of Theater.
In 2005, while performing frequently in musicals, Masha began her training as a musical theater director at Stage Entertainment Production (London).
In 2006, she combined her experience as an actress and director when she joined the drama theater research lab at the School Of Drama Arts in Moscow, Russia. She later went on to its sister school in Italy, which was founded by the internationally recognized theater director Anatoly Vasilyev and has been under his apprenticeship since 2015.
Mariya has been recognized in many international performances. Highlights include
serving as a JUDGE at the MUSICAL THEATER CONTEST “Musical Heart of Theater” (Russia).
winning BEST DIRECTOR awards at HEAD READ Festival (Estonia, Europe) for three consecutive years starting in 2016.
winning Lars Noren Award as BEST ACTRESS in 2011 for the part of Kate in the play “Cold”.
serving as DIRECTOR of the INTERNATIONAL DOVLATOV FESTIVAL in Tallinn, Estonia, in 2018.
directing acknowledged plays in multiple theaters in Europe:
“Silver Hoop”, Russia 2018.
“Romeo and Juliette Macbeth” Estonia, 2018.
“A Lost Tram” Estonia, 2017.
“Sparrow and the Beast” Estonia, 2017.
“A Swan Zero” (Based on “Idiot” by Dostoyevsky), Russia, 2013.
Masha moved to New York in 2019 and now produces authentic projects that translate the unique tradition of European and Russian drama theater and promote European art in New York.
In June 2021, Masha directed and co-produced her first American play "My Cyrano." She also led intensive training for actors, which ultimately became the Drama Theater Lab, a platform that gathers both in person and virtually, bringing together actors from all over the world.
In May 2022, this Lab has since grown and has served as the open rehearsal of a new project "Sartre.Dialogs."
HOBBIES
Ashtanga Yoga
Horse riding