Half Straddle’s seventh full-length work, Ancient Lives is a play about coming of age and self-creation. A teacher leads three students away from society. As they start an alternative TV station in the woods and meet a young witch who alters the group dynamic, their fragile new family begins to fray. With an original choral score; video landscape to create the strange forest hideout; and at once humorous and poignant narrative, the ensemble delves into the contemporary American reality of how we make meaning for ourselves and our communities.

Ancient Lives had an extended, sold-out run at The Kitchen, New York City, in January 2015.

Written and Directed by Tina Satter

Performed by Jess Barbagallo, Eliza Bent, Emily Davis, Julia Sirna-Frest and Lucy Taylor

Music Composition and Sound Design: Chris Giarmo

Set Design: Andreea Mincic

Lighting Design: Zach Tinkelman

Costume Design: Enver Chakartash

Makeup Design: Naomi Raddatz

Choreography: Elizabeth DeMent

Video Design: Ilan Bachrach

Stage Management: Randi Rivera

Production History

January 7-17, 2015: Performances at The Kitchen, NYC

August 2014: Rehearsals at The Kitchen, NYC

February 2014: Rehearsals at The Kitchen, NYC

"There is a strikingly synthetic quality to Tina Satter’s seductive and mesmerizing Ancient Lives, a play that entwines adolescence and obsolescence in order to un-tell a familiar story."

– Jennifer Krasinski, Artforum

Ancient Lives was made possible with support from The MAP Fund, a program of Creative Capital supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and in part by public funds from New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and New York State Council on the Arts.

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