Written by Beth Raas-Bergquist
Directed by Jenifer Ross and Steven Sterne

This new comedy wrapped up in an old tragedy plays from April 22nd to May 7th at the Ballard Underground. Chorestia explores what it means to be an ordinary woman in a society that is or has been at war. 

In a coffee shop, a nail salon, at camp, at school, and more, women of various ages attempt to live their lives as the events of the Trojan War, played out by one all-powerful man, take place in the background and everyone runs the risk of invoking the petty wrath of the gods. Chorestia is about the patriarchy and its deep roots in Western culture. Set inside an ancient Greek plotline, a group of female archetypes are subjected to war, animal transformations and ecological disaster. Exploring the way a patriarchal structure leads to the silence of women, even the silencing of women by other women, Chorestia is about the powerlessness of women in our society through the lens of the Trojan War and magical realism.

What happens to a culture that cannot escape its toxic roots? How does politics and pop culture affect women? How do women silence each other, and why? Chorestia uses comedy to dive deep into questions that we are just now starting to unravel.

People who like big puppets, animal transformations, political jokes should run to this show. Plus it features many women literally turning into animals, and you just can’t get that on Netflix nowadays.

Cast

Christina Alexander - Chorus Leader

Laura Lee Caudill - Chorus 2

Gabriela Aleman - Chorus 3

Lori Lee Haener - Chorus 4

Laura Steele - Chorus 5

LaChrista Borgers - Chorus 6

Trish Cosgrove - Chorus 7

Cody Smith - Man
 

Artistic Team

Director... Steven Sterne
Director... Jenifer Ross
Playwright... Beth Raas-Bergquist
Production Manager... Lily Cohen
Stage Manager... Olivia Sterne
Costume Designer... Briana Schwartz
Props Design... Beth Pollack
Mask Design... Jenifer Ross
Lighting Design... Angelo Domitri
Sound Design... Neil Martin
Set Design... Kasia Rozanska