The Enchanting Art Forms of Baba Yaga and the Firebird

After developing the show as New Victory LabWorks Artists, Anton Dudley and Faye Chiao are making their New Victory stage debuts with the world premiere of Baba Yaga and the Firebird!

Using pop-up books full of puppets, original songs and a host of hilarious characters, this madcap musical adventure blazes a hopeful path through the wilderness of growing up.

Read on to learn about how Anton and Faye used three different art forms to bring Baba Yaga and the Firebird to life on the New Victory stage!

Musical Theater

Musical theater melds acting, singing and dancing into one all-encompassing production. Singing often conveys a deeper level of emotion than speaking, allowing the characters to express themselves beyond dialogue. Plus, music and movement help establish the mood of the show and the characters, enhancing the audience’s understanding of the story.

Puppetry

Puppetry is when an object is animated and manipulated by a performer, giving the illusion of independent movement. There are many kinds of puppets, from marionettes and hand puppets to rod and shadow puppets. When there are only a few actors on stage, puppets can help expand the cast of characters!

Storytelling

Storytelling is an ancient tradition! For centuries, storytellers have used words and movement to captivate audiences, who in turn have to use their imaginations to fill in the gaps. Beyond language and gesture, storytelling can also make use of design elements like sets, music, sound effects and props to enhance the story. These elements establish the mood of the world the characters inhabit and ignite the audience’s imaginations.

Photos: Alexis Buatti-Ramos

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