The Nikolay Haytov Rhodope Drama Theatre in Smolyan was founded in 1951. Named after the writer whose work is closely associated with the Rhodope region, it maintains a resident company and a programme of spoken theatre. Directors who began parts of their professional development there include Alexander Morfov, Stefan Moskov and Boris Pankin. Leon Daniel, Vili Tsankov, Krikor Azaryan, Lyuben Groys and Yulia Ognyanova also contributed to its artistic history. The theatre supports coproductions, international partnerships and workshops alongside its repertory activities. These collaborations continue a tradition of professional theatre-making in Smolyan and the surrounding region.