The incident at the Kaluga Regional Drama Theater began with an abrupt accident on stage during the performance of the play Minor. Actress Kristina Stebunova reportedly lost her balance and fell from the stage, resulting in a jaw injury that required immediate medical attention. Local media reports, relayed by Evgeniy Serkin on his Telegram channel, confirm that she was swiftly transported to the regional hospital for treatment and assessment.
Survivors of the moment describe a chaotic scene as Stebunova entered a fall with little time to react. A witness account notes that she slipped on the stairs and collided with a hatch, leaving her with multiple bruises and limited memory of the exact sequence of events. The actress later shared photographs from the emergency department to illustrate the extent of the injuries and the tough aftermath of the fall. Medical professionals evaluated her condition on the spot and continued care at the hospital, where a diagnosis of traumatic arthritis in the jaw was considered among the possibilities, though the exact injury was still being reviewed by officials involved in the incident.
In the wake of the accident, the theater made the decision to cancel the performance of Bobok, in which Stebunova held a leading role. This measure aimed to ensure the safety of cast and crew while the incident was being investigated and medical teams monitored her recovery. The shutdown was confirmed by theater representatives and reflected the seriousness with which the management approached the situation.
Alexander Krivovichev, the theater’s director, spoke with a local reporter to share his perspective on the event. He characterized the injury as an ordinary scratch in one account, but others noted the severity of the fall given the circumstances and the fall’s impact on Stebunova. The director described the moment as a tense rush to the exit, noting that the actor appeared to have tripped while hurrying because of timing concerns for her performance. He indicated that the incident occurred as she prepared for an exit, and he emphasized the importance of stage discipline and wardrobe management in preventing similar mishaps in the future.
Later comments from the theater’s press service, together with statements from Moscow’s Bolshoi Theater, clarified that early reports of a broader incident, such as a landscape worker’s fall, were not connected to the events at Kaluga. These clarifications helped distinguish the onstage accident from unrelated safety concerns reported in other venues or contexts. The aim was to ensure accurate information was shared with audiences and stakeholders while the local investigation proceeded.
Earlier reports from Perm indicated another performance cancellation tied to a separate plan, though those notes referred to a different scenario and sponsors linked toUkraine sponsorship allegations. Those reports did not pertain to the Kaluga incident and were not part of the ongoing inquiry into Stebunova’s fall. The theater has since focused on managing the immediate aftermath and communicating clearly with patrons regarding future performances and safety improvements. The situation underscores the fragile line between live performance and the potential risks that come with the physical demands of acting and stagecraft. In this moment, safety protocols, prompt medical attention, and transparent communication are the priorities as the Kaluga Regional Drama Theater navigates the aftermath and plans for a return to the stage once Stebunova receives clearance to perform again and the company verifies all safety measures are in place.