Kamelia Nikolova

Prof. Dr. Kamelia Nikolova is a leading academic in Theatre Studies, holding positions at the National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts (NATFIA), Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and international institutions. Her roles include Professor of 'History of European Theatre' and 'Theatre Avant-Garde', with extensive editorial and administrative experience as Department Head.

Education: Sofia University (Philology, 1978-1979), Master’s in Theatre Studies from NATFIA (1979-1984), Doctorate (1994), and Doctor of Science in Art Studies (2004). Specialized training in London (1993) and Glasgow (1994).

Research Focus: European and Bulgarian theatre history, avant-garde movements, directing theory, and British drama. Key projects include History of Bulgarian Theatre (Vol. 4), Encyclopedia of Bulgarian Theatre, and the first Central/Eastern European avant-garde anthology Awangarda teatralna w Europie Środkowo-Wschodniej.

Recognition: Seven-time IKAR Award winner, ASKEER, and Golden Age Awards. Serves as editor for eight publications, including Yearbook of NATFIA, and chairs international organizations like THE FENCE and IATC/AICT.

Contributions: Authored/co-authored 11 books, including Directors in the European Theatre (2021) and The Routledge Companion to Contemporary European Theatre and Performance (2023). Her work bridges academic research with practical theatre criticism, influencing both Bulgarian and global theatre discourse.