A Tale of Two Museums
Ester Rachel Kaminska Theater Museum Collection

Literary Theater Troupes and Miniature Theater

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The Yiddish theatrical studios and troupes of interwar Poland embodied the great ensemble spirit that was a signature of interwar Polish-Yiddish theater. And, as so many of the troupes' names suggest--like Sambatyon, Azazel, Ararat-- a second signature of this era's Yiddish theater was its commitment on the part of its participants to engage with Jewish roots. Participants of the theater used the designation "miniature theater" (kleynkunst in Yiddish, lit. small art) for cabaret or variety performances, in which they often engaged with their contemporary world with more directness, often with wit, and always with a fresh creative vision.

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