(Born 07.04.1982 in Tomsk)

In 2002, Safonova graduated with praise from Irkutsk Regional Culture College mastering as Director/Producer (O.V. Kiryanov’s course). Her diploma job was a stage composition after L. Andreyev’s play “A Life of a Man.” After graduation, she continued her education at the St. Petersburg State Academy of Theater Arts (Professor Y.M. Krasovsky’s master shop). In 2007, Safonova graduated with praise from the Academy (majoring in the Theater Direction and Acting). She directed S. Marshak’s “The Twelve Months” on the major stage of the State Academy Turgenev Theater (Orel) as her director’s diploma job. The role of Lubov Ranevskaya (“The Cherry Orchard,” directors Y.M. Krasovsky and G.I. Filimonova) became her diploma job of an actor.

In 2004, still a student, she took part in the International Inter-University Competition of independent director’s jobs among the higher theater educational institutions (B. Shchukin Theater Institute), where she presented her performance “Sophichka” after F. Iskander’s novel. This early director’s job was honored with several awards:

- Diploma for the best female role – of Monica Santoro;

- Diploma for the best actor ensemble;

- Diploma of the Third Degree in “The Best Dramatic Episode” nomination;

- The Audience Sympathy Prize.

In 2007, she took part in the Fourth International Theater Festival (Warsaw, Poland) with “The Cherry Orchard” performance. Her acting of the role of Lubov Ranevskaya was marked with the Prize for the best female role. After the festival, she was invited to produce “The Cherry Orchard” at the Warsaw Theater Academy (Teatr Collegium Nobilium). The First Night took place on January 23, 2008.

She was invited to the Alexandrinsky Theater in 2008. She was Assistant Director in the performance “Ksenia. The History of Love” by v. Levanov (Director Valery Fokin, 2009) and participated in “The Living Corps” by L. Tolstoy (Director Valery Fokin).

In 2010, she directed performance “The Tsars” by J. Cortásar on the Smaller Stage of the Alexandrinsky Theater.