Konstantin Raikin

Konstantin Raikin has been named interim rector of the School for the Performing Arts (HSSI), also known as the Konstantin Raikin Theater School. Raikin was elected to the post of temporary rector on May 4 by a majority of the workers and students at the school.

Earlier, by order of the previous rector Anatoly Polyankin, Raikin was dismissed from the post of artistic director of the educational institution he founded. This caused indignation in the theatrical environment, as well as among students. In addition, Polyankin ordered the suspension of the school until June 1 – in response, the students went to court. His allegations should be considered on May 25.

A short time later, Polyankin was placed under house arrest, especially as he was being investigated for large-scale fraud charges. Raiders are suspected of seizing Raikin’s assets, including the Theater School and part of the Raikin Plaza shopping centre. Later, Polyankin denied firing Raikin from VSSI, but declined to comment further on the situation, citing a confidentiality agreement.

The theatrical publication reported that, first of all, in his new post, Raikin dealt with the issue of paying off more than 4.6 million rubles of electricity debt. Lawyers are also working on the school’s debts to teachers.