Born in Odessa, Soviet Union, Alschitz comes from a theatre family - his mother was the actress Raisa Stavitskaja and his father was the well-known stage designer Leon Alschitz.
Alschitz, recognised for his specific and personal ways in practical theatre research has developed theory and practice for new methods of actors training, and new ways for practice in directing, always with focus on the pedagogical aspect. The significant sign of his practice in teaching and research is the internationality, the incorporation of different west European roots with the Russian theatre tradition, as well as elements of the East-Asian theatre.The long way to become a teacher and a scientist in theatre, started with a directing education at the Moscow State University of Culture and Arts from 1969 to 1973. Jurij Alschitz studied with Prof. J.N. Malkowskij, one of the ten last still living pupils of Stanislavsky, and Prof. Oleg Koudriachov. Then, after numerous productions in state theatres of Moscow, Kiew, Odessa, Riga, a.o. he received his second course of training at the GITIS, the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts, under the masters Prof.Mikhail Butkevich and Prof. Anatoly Vasiliev, where he subsequently held a teaching post.
PhD (doctor of Philosophy, Fine Arts), acting pedagogue, scientist for applied theatre research, director, artistic director of the European Association for Theatre CultureEn