Milena Mihaylova
Education
2012 – received the educational and scientific degree "Doctor" in Theatre Studies/Performance Studies at the Faculty of "Stage Arts" of the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts “Kr. Sarafov”
1999-2004 – National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts "Kr. Sarafov", speciality "Theatre Studies", qualification degree: Master
Occupation
2013-present – Senior Assistant Professor at the Institute of Art Studies – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia
Joined the Institute of Art Studies
Since 2013 – Senior Assistant Professor
Major Publications
Mihaylova, М. The authentic "archives" of the Self in the Bulgarian theatre during and after Covid-19. In: Art Readings 2025. Institute of Art Studies, BAS. 2025
Mihaylova, М. “The voyages of the Self: between theatre and life in Bulgaria in the 21st century”. In: Art Readings 2020. Institute of Art Studies, BAS. 2021: 170-178
Мihaylova, М. Theatre handbills and posters during socialism against the substitution of the authentic truth with the „communist truth” in the People’s Republic of Bulgaria. In: Art Readings 2019. Institute of Art Studies, BAS. 2020: 258-267
Mihaylova, M. Identities during socialism: imposed "organic connection" with the Bulgarian Communist Party or about the striving for creative freedom in the 1970s of the 20th century. Art Readings 2018. Institute of Art Studies, BAS. 2019: 157-167
Mihaylova, M. Roles of theatre criticism during socialism: realisation of the "Party-controlled art” versus the creative flight between words. Scientific conference of the Institute of Art Studies and the National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts, 100 years since the birth of Prof. Lyubomir Tenev. In: NATFA Annual, 2015. 2015: 51-57
Mihaylova, М. VOX POPULI – 10 years of verbatim theatre in Bulgaria. In: Literary newspaper, 9, 2022: 8
Mihaylova, М. Real Life Media for the ordinary people. In: A collection of selected materials from the published issues of HOMO LUDENS journal in English translation, 2021: 174-179 (PROTEST.mp3, directed by Neda Sokolovska, Vox Populi Documentary Theatre Studio)
Mihaylova, M. On reality as an anxious cry and for those seeking meaning: Lilia Abadjieva, Shakespeare and Geo Milev in the 21st century. In: ARTizanin magazine, 18, 8.03.2019: 176-181 Mihaylova, М. Approach and sensitivity of the person/actor/director Deyan Donkov to the theatre of the absurd and "Waiting for Godot". In: Electronic magazine Theatre 2018. 2018: January 17
Mihaylova, M. The life-giving verbatim performances of Vox Populi: Invisible No. 1 and Yatse Forkash (on the activities/performances of the Vox Populi Documentary Theatre Studio, dir. Neda Sokolovska). In: Literary newspaper, 3, 4, 2013: 8
Mihaylova, M. Manifestations of reality aesthetics and multimedia expressiveness in the Bulgarian theatre in the first decade of the 21st century. In: Theatrical practice in the first decade of the 21st century, conference proceedings, ITF Varna Summer 2011. 2012: 80-91
Research projects
Mihaylova, M. Transformations of the theatre critical reflection during the totalitarian regime from 1968 to 1989 in the People's Republic of Bulgaria, 2020-current, Institute of Art Studies, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Mihaylova, M. Attitudes and functions of theatre criticism in the People's Republic of Bulgaria in the 1980s, 2018-2020, Institute of Art Studies, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, etc.
Conferences
Participated with papers in various international scientific forums in Bulgaria
Mihaylova, M. The authentic "archives" of the Self in the Bulgarian theatre during and after Covid-19. Art Readings 2025, ARTS AND ARCHIVES, Institute of Art Studies, BAS
Mihaylova, M. Participation in the international conference RETHINKING THE THEATRE HERITAGE FROM THE TIME OF COMMUNISM during the Varna Summer International Theatre Festival, 2023 /debate on Theatre Criticism in the period 1945-1989/
Mihaylova, M. The voyages of the Self: between theatre and life in Bulgaria in the 21st century. Art Readings 2020, JOURNEYS, Institute of Art Studies, BAS
Mihaylova, M., theatrologist. Participation in the implementation of sensory online performances, also an international discussion: Symbiosis – theatre in digital and physical environment, part of Sensory and immersive theatre practices in digital context – a project of Inner Theater Company (2021) in partnership with: Theatr Cynefin, Cardiff, Wales; Terre-Moto, Madrid, Spain; Teatro de los Sentidos, Barcelona, Spain; Sensorama, Mexico City, Mexico; Tsvete Theatre, Sofia, Bulgaria; Kambana Art EOOD, Sofia, Bulgaria; Playback Theatre "Storycatchers", Sofia, Bulgaria
Mihaylova, M. Theatre handbills and posters under socialism against the substitution of the authentic truth with the “communist truth” in the People’s Republic of Bulgaria. Art Readings 2019, PATTERNS, MODELS, DESIGNS, Institute of Art Studies, BAS
Mihaylova, M. Identities during socialism: imposed "organic connection" with the Bulgarian Communist Party or about the striving for creative freedom in the 1970s of the 20th century. Art Readings 2018, ART IN EUROPE: MODELS AND IDENTITIES, Institute of Art Studies, BAS
Main areas of scientific research
Interests in the field of theatre theory, history and criticism, new theatre practices and documentary theatre
Research-related activities
Her research work in the "Theatre" sector is combined with critical practice. Since 2001 and currently, she is the author of a multitude of theatre reviews for Bulgarian and foreign performances, theoretical articles, interviews in specialised issues such as "Literary newspaper", "HOMO LUDENS" journal, “Theatre" magazine and others. A member of the Guild of Theatrologists, Theatre Critics and Playwrights of the Union of Bulgarian Actors (UBA) and of the International Association of Theatre Critics (IATC)
