Birthday Trauma

Growing Up Linda was an ensemble actor-puppetry performance in which a woman who believes she’s the daughter of a famous ice cream mogul must come to terms with her troubled past. In Birthday Trauma, a scene from Growing Up Linda, Linda recounts the events of her fifth birthday when she first started communicating with food.

Reclined on a chez lounge chair in her therapist’s office she flashes back to the party where daddy presents her with the very first Cookie Puss cake. Little Linda becomes enamored when Cookie Puss starts talking to her. But Cookie Puss doesn’t just talk to her, he love-bombs her. Out of view they take a wild ride in his flying saucer to Planet Birthday where they profess eternal love for one other. Upon their return, daddy and the hungry guests sing Happy Birthday and demand that Linda cut the cake. She resists, but daddy strong-hands her into dismembering her new companion for consumption.

CHRONOLOGY

Avalon Gallery Island
Orlando

Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at 6:00PM
through
Thursday, November 12th, 2009

Opening Reception
Thursday, October 15th 6:00PM-9:00PM

Venue 13
Edinburgh

Friday, August 8th, 2008 at 12PM
Saturday August 9th, 2008 at 12PM
Sunday, August 10th, 2008 at 5PM
Tuesday, August 12th, 2008 at 5PM
Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 at 5PM
Thursday, August 14th, 2008 at 5PM
Friday, August 15th, 2008 at 5PM
Saturday, August 16th, 2008 at 5PM
Sunday, August 17th, 2008 at 5PM

CalArts
Valencia

Wednesday May 7th, 2008 at 8:00PM
Thursday, May 8th, 2008 at 8:00PM
Friday, May 9th, 2008 at 8:00PM
Saturday May 10th, 2008 at 2:00PM
Saturday May 10th, 2008 at 8:00PM

Acorn Gallery
Los Angeles

Saturday, June 2nd, 2007
through
Sunday, July 8th, 2007

Space Ark
Highland Park

Saturday, June 2, 2007 at 9:00PM

Grand Central Art Center
Santa Ana

Saturday, April 7, 2007
through
Sunday, May 20, 2007

Exquisite Acts
+ Everyday Rebellions
Valencia, California

Thursday, March 1, 2007
at 9:00PM

The Judson Church
New York City

Tuesday, May 2, 2006

Guilford Art Center,
Guilford, Connecticut

Friday March 17, 2006
through
Saturday, April 30, 2006

Opening Reception
Friday, March 17, 2006
5:00PM-7:00PM

Everett Dance Theatre /
Carriage House
Providence, Rhode Island

Friday, February 10, 2006 at 8:00PM
Saturday, February 11, 2006 at 7:00PM

Theatre for the New City
New York City

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Coolidge Corner Theatre
Boston

Friday, December 2, 2005

2005
Perishable Theatre
Providence

Friday, November 18, 2005

2005
Mad Cow
Orlando

Sunday, November 6, 2005

2005
Atlantic Center for the Arts
New Smyrna Beach

Saturday, October 29, 2005

PRESS

Puppetry International Magazine
April 2009

“a crazy hall of mirrors, flashing bits of a story from multiple angles.. held together by a strong idiosyncratic personal aesthetic. And lots of fake fur”