The Mermaid Tear Factory is an ongoing performance laboratory and site-specific exploration of the mermaid myth, and how the goddesses of the sea are confronting our hedonistic and pathological single use plastics consumption, and how this dispersion has infiltrated our oceans, our minds and our bodies.  The performance tells the story of a vigilante mermaid who is half activist-saleswoman-professor and half sea-goddess:  a post-modern Yemanjá-descended eco-crime fighter who lives in a tent on the beach.

This performance aims to poetically promote dynamic dialogue around the crisis of what many call one of the biggest threats to our biosphere:  The plastics pollution and acidification of our planet’s oceans  The work is designed to exist, free of charge, in a public space where people have independently congregated to enjoy the ocean, but can also be presented indoors in English, Portuguese and Spanish. 

The Mermaid Tear Factory Miami 2015 & 2016

    Performance and Concept:  Elizabeth Doud

    Navigation:  Giovanni Luquini

    Technical Direction:  Gabriela Diez

    Crew:  Zé Maria, Renato, Shaggy and Tomás

    Frocks, Tail Design and Fit Management:  Salvation Army Albuquerque, The      

    Mertailor, & Estela Vrancovich

    Set and Props:  Itaparica Unlimitied, Diva Jones Enterprises, Estela Vrancovich &

    Giovanni Luquini

    Music and Soundscape:  Los Aterciopelados, Alan Murkin, Shadowy Men on a    

    Shadowy Planet, Ornette Coleman, Dorival Caymmi, Sweet Honey In the Rock,    

    and Special Guests Carlos Caballero & Giovanni Luquini with advice from Derek

    Sheplawy

    Photos and Promo Images:  Ines Grimaux, Alfonso Santana, Felipe Peixoto 

    Brito, Manolo Romalde, Tony Martinez, Aruma, Glassworks, Diva Jones

    Enterprises

    Rehearsal Space:  Miami Light Project / Light Box & the Lazy Dog Ranch.

These performances are dedicated to the memory of Tammy Pearce Eduardo Smissen.

This work has received grant and production support from the Post-Graduate Program in Scenic Arts at the Federal University of Bahia, Brazil, the Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Miami Light Project, The Atlantic Center for the Arts and FUNDarte, Inc. 

Special thanks to Giovanni Luquini, Martin Domecq, Carlos Caballero, Carlos Diaz, Suzana Martins, Afonso Santana, Ines Grimaux, Heather Woodbury, Judith Isaacs, Derek Sheplawy, the staff at MLP and FUNDarte, Jennylin Duany and Elvis, Filé, Coco and Jimmy.