Puppet Đenise’s Portfolio
“I am a puppet. No one puppets me, but me.” - Puppet Denise
puppet (noun)
1530s, “doll or little figure of a person moved by strings or wires” (later applied to puppets in glove form), a later form of Middle English poet “doll” (c. 1300; compare poppet), from Old French popette “little doll, puppet,” diminutive of popee “doll, puppet” (13th century, Modern French poupée), from Vulgar Latin *puppa, from Latin pupa “girl; doll” (see pupil), and most notably, from Vietnamese búp bê, borrowed from French poupée.
self-portrait I, Puppet Denise aka Búp Bê Bé Hanh, circa 2018
A 2017-2021 New Puppetworks alum and forever member of Monkeybear’s Harmolodic Workshop, Puppet Denise (aka Búp Bê Bé Hanh) has created, written, directed, and performed widely as herself, alongside puppet and human friends alike, with community organizations, museums, and theatres, including:
Fond of visual poetics by way of shadow, hand, and string, Puppet Denise aka Búp Bê Bé Hanh is grateful for the continued insight and mentorship of Chamindika Wanduragula, Liz Howls, and Michael Sommers.
Please see below for a sample of her work, independently and in collaboration with Oanh Vu, Andrew Young, Karly Gesine Bergmann, Ty Chapman, MK Nguyen, Benjamin Torres Galick, Tyler Kutscheid, alongside many others, without whom this work would not be possible.
Happy Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month - Minneapolis Institute of Art
filmed at our homes in May 2020 via Zoom during the global COVID-19 pandemic
What does it mean to be Asian American? What makes you proud to be Asian American? Celebrate radical self-determination with Puppet Denise and Puppet Oanh.
Featuring a special appearance by Steve the Bird, performed by Tyler Kutscheid.
Trauma from Above - Minneapolis Institute of Art
filmed July 2020 in Puppet Oanh’s garage during the global COVID-19 pandemic
Set in Mia’s replica of the Grand Salon from the Hôtel de la Bouëxière, Trauma from Above centers the friendship of two Vietnamese-American puppets who fight about pho, labor over love, and heal with karaoke. The show explores how centuries of colonial trauma and ongoing oppression impact contemporary interpersonal relationships.
With shadow puppetry performed by Karly Gesine Bergmann.
Meo(w)! Count in Vietnamese with Puppet Denise - Theater Mu
filmed and performed via Zoom and Facebook Live on May 16, 2020 during the global COVID-19 pandemic
Speaking Vietnamese is like singing a song. Learn how to count in Vietnamese with Puppet Denise as she sings to her sleepy kittens. See how many kittens can nap together in one little hammock!
Featuring special appearances by Human MK Nguyen and her babies.
The Secret Sauce to Survival - Theater Mu
filmed and performed via Zoom and Facebook Live on April 18, 2020 during the global COVID-19 pandemic
Being indoors is hard! Puppet Denise and Puppet Oanh are at their wit's end trying to make spring rolls with their families. Come along as they learn the secret sauce to survival! Just a dash of hoisin and a big spoonful of slowness.
Featuring special appearances by Steve the Bird and Human Benjamin Torres Galick.
self-portrait II,
Puppet Denise
aka Búp Bê Bé Hanh, circa 2019