Anatoly Vasiliev is a Russian director and teacher, founder of the School of Dramatic Art theatre. He studied chemistry at Rostov University, then graduated from the directing faculty of GITIS. He worked at the Moscow Art Theatre, and from 1977 to 1982 at the Stanislavsky Moscow Drama Theatre, where he staged "Vassa Zheleznova" and "An Adult Daughter of a Young Man". In 1987, he founded the School of Dramatic Art. In 2001, the theatre moved to Sretenka Street. The production of "Six Characters in Search of an Author" brought him international recognition. In 2006–2007, following disagreements with Moscow city authorities, he left his position as artistic director and departed Russia. He pursues active creative work in Europe. In 2017, he staged "The Old Man and the Sea" based on Hemingway's work in Moscow as part of the Chekhov International Theatre Festival. Honoured Art Worker of the Russian Federation (1993), laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation (1999). The Bakhrushin Theatre Museum collection includes photographs of the director, posters, programmes, and production stills from the performances he directed.