The Crone Chronicles: Reclaiming the Story of Baba Yaga

Baba Yana and her ragtag team of storybook performers reinvent the stories of The Crone. First up is Baba Yaga, the Slavic folkloric witch.

and fill in the blanks, creating a sense of intimacy between them and the actors.

This play showcases the power of physical theatre storytelling and minimal set design to create a vibrant and immersive experience. The physicality of the performance draws heavily from the teachings of Jacques LeCoq. The actors use their bodies to convey emotion, meaning, and character, creating a dynamic and engaging performance. The use of clowning and mask work adds to the play's whimsical tone, adding levity to the story's darker themes.

The Crone Chronicles’ focus on challenging stereotypical portrayals of characters is evident in the way Baba Yaga is portrayed. The character is complex, and the actors play with the audience's expectations, highlighting the importance of understanding the cultural and historical contexts in which stories are created. This show is in honor of women, of all ages; young girls, adolescents, young adults, mothers, grandmothers. This is for them, to see and claim and honor their power. This show is for those who love and respect the women in their life, recognize and see their power.

This is a must-see for anyone interested in magic and mysticism, physical theatre storytelling, challenging traditional gender stereotypes, and the power of the human body to create a unique and immersive experience.

The Crone Chronicles had its first workshop production at the Pride Arts Center in Chicago in January 2023. Check out the full recording of this workshop here.

Everyone's favorite Soviet Jewish Grandma Clown Baba Yana and her ragtag team of storybook performers are here to tell you the stories of Wise Women. We’re starting off with Baba Yaga, The Slavic folkloric witch.

In The Crone Chronicles: Reclaiming the Story of Baba Yaga we take you on a journey through a magical and mystical world. The story follows Chava, a young girl who faces challenges at home with her stepmother and stepsister. Seeking help, she journeys to Baba Yaga's hut, a wise woman from her part of the world, where she learns valuable life lessons.

Throughout the show, the actors generate sound and folly using their bodies and minimal props, immersing the audience in the world of the story. The minimal set design allows the audience to use their imagination

Upcoming

Performances

Monday, January 8 @ 7pm & 8:30pm
Tuesday, January 9 @ 7pm & 8:30pm

Stella Adler Studio of Acting
65 Broadway Floor 2
New York, NY

We’re so excited to be a part of the inaugural PhysFestNYC, a community-focused festival that celebrates, enriches, and envisions our field of physical theater.

Help us get there and support our creative team by making a tax-deductible donation to our fundraiser campaign!

Meet the Team Behind The Crone Chronicles

Photos and video recording by Paul Brennan. You can view more photos here.

Promo video editing by Anthony Polk.

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Beckett: A Show About Nothingness