Valeria Kardashevska-Rancheva

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Valeria Kardashevska-Rancheva holds a prominent role at the Department of Puppet Theatre within the Faculty of Performing Arts at the National Academy of Dramatic Arts and Film “Kr. Sarafov”. She earned her doctorate in 2008 and became an Associate Professor in 2018. Her career spans acting, pedagogical leadership, and research in theatre studies. She has taught at institutions like L. Groys Theater College and the National School of Dance Art, focusing on stage speech and actor training. Key roles include performances in productions like West Side Story, Taboo, and The Beauties, alongside international collaborations in Moscow and London. Her research emphasizes Bulgarian folklore integration in theatre education and stage speech techniques, as seen in publications like Bulgarian Folklore: A Stage Speech Training Pillar. She actively participates in academic conferences on pedagogical communication and has organized international workshops.

• Education: Acting degrees (1998–2008), PhD in 2009
• International Exposure: Royal Albert Hall, Moscow Theatre Festival
• Publications: Over 10 books and articles on theatre pedagogy and Bulgarian cultural heritage

Her work bridges traditional and contemporary theatre practices, with a focus on actor development and communication strategies.