Rostislav Vladimirovich Zakharov was born in 1907, in Russia. He
studied acting and dance in St. Petersburg. From 1930-1936, Zakharov
was an actor and choreographer at the Kirov Theatre in Leningrad (now
Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg). There he choreographed his first
version of "Zolushka" (Cinderella) on the music of
Sergei Prokofiev. From
1936-1960, Zakharov was the principal choreographer at the Bolshoi
Theatre in Moscow. There he directed and choreographed the definitive
version of "Zolushka" (Cinderella) on the music of
Sergei Prokofiev. The Bolshoi
Theatre production was adapted to film
Cinderella (1961) starring
Raisa Struchkova in the
title role. Rostislav Zakharov co-directed the film and also
contributed to the script and choreography. From 1951 - 1983 he was a
professor of the State Institute of Theatrical Art (GITIS) in Moscow.
Rostislav Zakharov was awarded the State Prize of the USSR (twice), he
was designated the title of People's Actor of the USSR
(1969).