The brief history of the "Dariga-ai" youth troupe

The "Dariga-ai" youth theater was established on November 14, 1999, in Semey, initiated by Professor Dariga Turankulkyzy and the well-known public figure, Abai scholar, and Honored Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan T. Ibragimov. Additionally, it is important to highlight the contributions of individuals such as Professor M.S. Omarbaeva, senior lecturer M.A. Aleparova, and A. Aitbaev, who was the theater's director and artistic leader, in laying the foundation of the theater.

On February 2, 2001, according to the city mayor's order No. 56, the "Dariga-ai" youth theater was established as a communal state treasury enterprise under the Semey city culture department.

Starting from November 1, 2005, based on the East Kazakhstan region administration's decree No. 348, the "Dariga-ai" youth theater was transformed into a communal state treasury enterprise under the East Kazakhstan region culture department.

From November 16, 2007, according to the East Kazakhstan region administration's decree No. 318, the "Dariga-ai" youth theater was again designated as a communal state treasury enterprise under the East Kazakhstan region culture department.

As of October 11, 2013, it was renamed to "Semey city 'Dariga-ai' youth theater" communal state treasury enterprise under the East Kazakhstan region culture, archives, and documentation department.

According to the East Kazakhstan region administration's decree No. 288 dated October 28, 2014, the "Semey city 'Dariga-ai' youth theater" communal state treasury enterprise was reorganized by merging it with the "Abai Theater" communal state treasury enterprise under the East Kazakhstan region culture, archives, and documentation department.

Today, this theater troupe, which has solidified its foundation, has a strong momentum, high aspirations, and a clear direction, has found its audience. Since it is a youth theater, it stages thoughtful works that resonate with the tastes of modern youth, enriching their inner world and guiding them out of psychological dead ends, while igniting their national spirit and vigor with new performances. The theater has also turned to world-class works and has become well-versed in their essence. By honing professional skills from foreign theater schools and as a result of extensive research, it has managed to harmonize word and melody, movement and perspective, heart and image into a single stream.

Looking at the theater's creativity, it has found a way to the hearts of the audience with artistic works that range from foreign and Kazakh classical pieces to contemporary stage productions that address relevant themes of today, helping youth find their place in life and pointing them towards paths out of dead ends.

In 2019, the theater celebrated its 20th anniversary at the national level.

Achievements of the "Dariga-ai" youth theater:

Laureate of the 1st Republican Comedy Contest; (Astana)

Laureate of the International "Shabyt" Festival;

Laureate of the Republican O. Bokei Artistic Word Masters Contest; (Astana)

Theater artist A. Zhadranova won the "Best Female" nomination at the Republican Theater Festival dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Great Victory and the 100th anniversary of B. Momyshuly; (Taraz city)

Winner of the "Patriotic Activity" nomination at the "Alaş's Pride" regional festival; (Pavlodar city)

Grand Prix winner at the XXV Republican Festival of Kazakh Drama Theaters dedicated to A. Sygay's 70th anniversary; (Astana)

Two-time diploma winner at the XIII International Theater Festival of Turkic Peoples "Nauryz"; (Tatarstan)

Theater artist E. Nughimanov won the "Best Male Image" nomination at the VII International Theater Festival of Central Asian countries; (Taldykorgan city)

Winner of the Republican Theater Festival dedicated to A. Omirzakova's 100th anniversary; (Semey)

3rd place winner at the theater festival dedicated to the 30th anniversary of independence; (Karaganda)

Theater artist E. Kasymbekov won the "Best Male Image" nomination at the Republican Experimental Monodrama Theater Festival; (Aktobe)

In 2022, became a laureate at the II International "Abish World" Theater Festival; (Aktau)

In 2022, theater actor Kasymbekov Eldos received a special award named after K. Bokeeva at the I Republican Monodrama Festival; (Oral)

In 2022, became a laureate in the "Best Scenography" nomination at the II International "TEATRALL" Theater Festival; (Astana)

In 2023, became a laureate at the International "Thousand Voices, One Breath" Theater Festival; (Turkey)

In 2023, theater actor E. Nughimanov became a laureate at the XVIII International Monodrama Festival; (Lithuania)

In 2023, won the "Best Male Role" nomination at the Republican "Critique - Be True" Theater Festival (actor D. Umirkhanov); (Karaganda city)

In 2024, became a laureate at the XXX Republican Festival of Kazakh Drama Theaters dedicated to B. Sokpakbayev's 100th anniversary; (Ust-Kamenogorsk city)

In 2025, at the IV International Theater Festival named after the Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, "Tarlan" award winner, theater director Zhanat Khadzhiev, won the Grand Prix in the "Best Performance" nomination. (Zhezkazgan city)