Erika MacDonald

Solo Performer | Theater Artist

SOLO WORK

WINNER:
Orlando Fringe "Heartstrings Award"

The Barn Identity

a solo show by Erika MacDonald
musical underscoring by Paul Strickland

Erika MacDonald went to the Emergency Room because of a movie she saw. Now she's obsessed with Falling-Down Barns.

Through storytelling, music, and inventive design, this theatrical essay explores the usefulness of beauty in one's life as the performer looks back at her first recognized encounter with her own mental illness.

“intriguing… engaging… shocking… charming...
a worthwhile ride” 

- Orlando Sentinel Review of The Barn Identity

"As if pulled straight from a Joni Mitchell song, Erika MacDonald's solo show weaves a magic spell...
An absolute delight."

- Luke Dodge, KC Fringe Official Review of The Barn Identity

Evacuated!

2016

Tap Me on the Shoulder

2012

FLUID

2007

PUPPET DESIGN

AWAY, NOW: The World's Most Desired Destination

"Shopping in Away, Now," paper bag mask scene (pictured above), suitcase toy theater scenes with paper puppets, suitcase toy theater with shadow puppets, designed and built by Erika, written and performed together with Paul Strickland

A Theatre Mobile original production

Premiered at 2021 Orlando International Fringe Festival

SuperTrue

"Dulce" puppets (as pictured above) and "Deer" puppets, made from cardboard, string and brown paper, designed and built by Erika, in consultation with set designer Sarah Beth Hall

Puppeteered by Elizabeth Molloy
Script by Karen Hartman
Directed by Holly Derr

Premiered in 2018 at Know Theatre of Cincinnati

13 Dead Dreams of "Eugene"

Shadow puppet play with moving handheld light sources, conceived, designed, written and performed together with Paul Strickland

A Theatre Mobile original production

 Premiered at 2016 Twin Cities Horror Festival

BIO

Erika MacDonald

Erika MacDonald is an internationally-touring theater-maker whose original works have been featured Off-Broadway and have won "Best of Fest" honors on over 10 different occasions at Fringe Theater Festivals across the U.S. and Canada. 

Erika is known for her award-winning original solo shows Evacuated!, Tap Me on the Shoulder, and Fluid, as well as her thoughtful and meticulous solo show directing and innovative puppet designs. Her shadow puppet adaptation of Carnival of the Animals was commissioned by Madcap Puppets and featured at the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra. 

Erika is also known for the entertaining and unique two-person shows she creates and performs together with her partner in art and life Paul Strickland. Their shadow puppet horror play 13 Dead Dreams of "Eugene" was an official selection at the Twin Cities Horror Fest and was presented Off Broadway at the historic Soho Playhouse. 

For more on Erika and Paul’s collaborations visit theatremobile.org . 

When she is not on the road or on the stage, Erika currently makes her home just off the coast of Cincinnati, in Covington, Kentucky.

Contact Erika via email 
erikakatemacdonald at gmail.com
[no spaces]

Photo Credits (from top, all photos are of Erika MacDonald unless otherwise indicated): Jonathan Rodriguez (banner, performing Evacuated!); personal (writing, seated on fire escape); Dan Norman (with Paul Strickland, performing 13 Dead Dreams of "Eugene"); Jonathan Rodriguez (pointing, performing Evacuated!); Paul Strickland (photo and graphic design, show image The Barn Identity); Dan Winters with graphic design by Paul Strickland (show image Evacuated!); Patrick Shannon (performing Tap Me on the Shoulder); Jonathan Farmer (promotional photo Fluid); Jeff Burkle (Erika MacDonald, Paul Strickland, performing Away, Now); Dan R. Winters (Elizabeth Molloy, Nicole Jeannine Smith, performing SuperTrue); Dan Norman (silhouette Erika MacDonald, performing 13 Dead Dreams of "Eugene"); Jonathan Rodriguez (bio photo, performing Evacuated!)