An interview with G. Byambasuren, writer, director and actor at Khuvisal Production.
— When did you graduate from CITI University, and who taught you?
— At secondary school, a teacher encouraged me to sing Russian romances, telling me I had a good voice and should become a singer. That encouragement made me believe I could pursue singing. After finishing school, I began preparing for that profession. The same year, CITI University admitted its first Musical Theatre class, and I became a student of Ts. Batnairamdal. I graduated in Musical Theatre in 2012. Acting develops a person in many ways. Our 2008–2012 cohort proudly called itself the generation of the “Three Bats”: our class teacher was Ts. Batnairamdal; our music theory teacher was J. Batsaikhan, founder of the Soyol-Erdene band; and our dance teacher was Honoured Artist L. Battuul. Alongside acting, we studied singing and music extensively. These three teachers maintained demanding standards and taught us responsibility. Many other teachers also contributed to our development.
— How did their teaching influence your work as an artist?
— It had a considerable influence. Our class was active, responsible and well regarded, which I attribute to our teachers. They taught teamwork, professional ethics, artistic responsibility and conduct. I continue to draw on their knowledge and educational guidance in my creative work.
— Which student productions do you remember most?
— There were many. Productions required collaboration among the acting, singing, aesthetics and fashion design departments. We worked according to professional theatre principles from our student years. Our graduation productions of Notre-Dame de Paris and Cats in Mongolian received strong praise from professional artists, who considered them comparable to professional theatre. We were proud of that. Principal roles were auditioned: six students, for example, competed for Esmeralda.
— Your career began at the university. How did you later join Khuvisal Production, where you now write and direct screen productions?
— After graduating, several classmates and I began working at CITI University as assistant lecturers. My artistic career then developed at Khuvisal Production. In our third year, while on placement at the State Academic Drama Theatre, our entire class appeared in crowd scenes in the historical play Son of Heaven. Urnaa noticed me then. We performed our graduation productions at that theatre and also staged Notre-Dame de Paris there with the French Embassy, so theatre professionals were familiar with our work. After I had worked at the university for more than a year, I applied to a Khuvisal audition and passed two selection rounds. In the first, Urnaa said she already accepted me without a test. In the second, we performed paired scenes from Forbidden to Love, and I passed. I was the only applicant appointed as a permanent member then. I have now worked at Khuvisal for more than ten years.
— What advice would you offer students who want artistic careers?
— Acting students should first understand their purpose and priorities, including professional skill and adaptability. I feel some recent graduates find it difficult to accept criticism. Their future does not depend on one teacher or another person: it depends on their own commitment. Consistency is essential. Our teachers expected Acting students, and all School of Arts students, to develop professional standards from the beginning. University President Ts. Baigalmaa has an arts background and provides many opportunities for arts students. She welcomes graduates warmly and continues to support younger generations. The university maintains close, friendly relationships with its alumni.
L. Khishigsaikhan