Prof. Dr. Kalina Stefanova is a Professor in the Department of Theatre Studies at the Faculty of Performing Arts . She is an internationally renowned scholar specializing in theatre criticism, Eastern European theatre, and cross-cultural dramaturgy. Her work bridges academic research with practical theatre practice, focusing on global theatre dynamics and cultural exchange. Her research interests include comparative theatre studies, the role of criticism in shaping theatrical canon, and the evolution of theatre post-political transitions. She has authored/co-authored 17 books, including seminal works like Eastern European Theatre After the Iron Curtain and 20 Ground-Breaking Directors of Eastern Europe , which are widely used in university curricula globally. Her books on Chinese theatre, such as Storm by Cao Yu , have expanded intercultural theatre dialogues. Prof. Stefanova has held visiting professorships at institutions like NYU, Wuhan University, and Shanghai Theatre Academy. She has been honored with titles like 'Distinguished Visiting Professor' (2016) and 'Distinguished Researcher' (2016). She served as Vice President of the International Association of Theatre Critics (2001-2006) and led symposia as their Director of Symposia (2006-2010). She currently sits on editorial boards of journals like Chinese Performing Arts and European Stages . Her recent projects include editing the first anthology of Chinese contemporary drama in Bulgarian and vice versa. She frequently lectures on theatre criticism and Eastern European theatre in countries like China, South Africa, and Poland. Her non-theatrical works, such as Ann's Dwarves , blend performance-inspired narratives with literary creativity. Prof. Stefanova’s awards include the SAB Criticism Award (1999) and recognition from the 'Idea for Theatre' Foundation. She remains active in international theatre festivals as a jury member and contributes expertise to the European Commission’s cultural evaluation panels.
