In 1928, Giorgi Lomaia decided to establish the first drama circle at Tbilisi State University; the hall had a poor stage, while the troupe suffered economic hardships.

Not a single university troupe had grown up so many professional actors as Tbilisi State University did under the leadership of Giorgi Lomaia.

The first play staged at TSU was a Georgian version of “A Provocateur.” Sculptor Mikheil Sarauli, a famous actor of Marjanishvili Theatre, was an artistic director of the play.

Since then, TSU staged a number of plays, among them “Matiko” by Akvsenti Tsagareli, “Sashineli Game” by Sh. Dadiani, “Irines Bedniereba” by D. Kldiashvili, etc. The troupe’s success has increased students’ reputation, as well as the level of their creative work. It became necessary to reconstruct the stage; a conference hall was used as a theatre; boxes were added to amphitheater, lightening and moveable stage were arranged.  

The club was opened in late March of the same year with a play “Karab and Emzar” by D. Chianeli. In 1938, the University Student Theatre was transformed into the State Student Theatre.

In 1943, a play “Da-Dzma” by Valerian Gunia was staged at the university under the leadership of Viktor Ninidze. The play represents an example of classical Georgian dramaturgy. During the wartime, the TSU theatrical troupe suspended its work. In 1945, it again renewed its activities with “Hashimbai’s Song” wrote by student Vakhtang Gozalishvili according to A. Chachibaia’s story.

The plays were staged by students of the Faculty of Western European Language and Literature. In 1957, the French Section staged a comedy “The Affected Young Ladies” by Molière, while the English Section staged “The Merry Wives of Windsor.”

In spring 1963, D. Tsiskrishvili, student of the Institute of Theatre Arts, staged a play “Laurencia” by Friedrich Wolf in the German language. Students and professors of the Faculty of German Language and Literature assisted them. In 1972-1973, the third-year students of the English Language Department prepared two interpretations of a famous play “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wild.

In 1976, students of the English Language Department created a theatre of miniatures.

In the 1990s, Zaza Tsakadze undertook leadership of the theatrical troupe; he came to the university after graduating from the University of Theatre Arts. He was a stage director of the play Doctor Papachi Waltz; its premieres were held at Rustaveli and Marjanishvili Theatres.

Simultaneously, there was another theatre at the university led by Tamaz Meskhi, which staged a play “Bird Market.”

On September 15, 2000, a plastic theatre “Skhveni” was founded upon initiative of stage directors – Giorgi Gomurashvili and Mamuka Gurchiani, as well as artistic director Tengiz Kurashvili. The attic of the TSU conference hall was renovated with the help of the management of the Culture Center and artists. The name of the troupe was chosen according to its location (Skhveni means attic in English).

A theatrical troupe “Skhveni” continues to work successfully at the university. The troupe has received a lot of international prizes.

Any student with artistic skills can join the troupe. The stage castings are held at the beginning of each academic year in two rounds. Candidates are given specific tasks to examine their plastic movements and artistic reading.