The hood babies’ tapes: Volume 1.5
The Center at West Park Presents
the hood babies’ tapes: volume 1.5
As a part of the Evolution Festival
Friday, October 3, 2025 @ 7:30PM
Location
Appropriate for 18+
The play is titled “The Hood Babies’ Tapes: Volume 1.5”, an extended version of the project’s first installment. This play encompasses a fictional world that mirrors social issues in the Black community. The performance presents as the live taping of a canceled TV show program. The program is set in an urban cityscape diorama and highlights 3 main characters called the HOOD BABIES -which are 30 inch cable-controlled mechanical puppets. Each puppet has its own episode that delves into a specific issue within a low income Black community. Their mentor, Buba, presents potential solutions while introducing new ways of reprogramming one's mind. The project intends to embody the cultural essence of Sesame Street and Fat Albert while focusing on relevant contemporary issues for adult audiences. The story represents the evolution of Black consciousness by healing one’s inner child through unlearning generational patterns. As each character delves into their specific issue, the audience is allowed permission to instill their own values and develop an understanding of preexisting realities.
Beyonce Armstrong- Writer, Director, Artist, Actor
William PK Carter- Puppeteer
Thalya David- Puppeteer
About the Lead Artist
Beyonce “Buba” Armstrong is a multimedia artist bridging the gap between pop culture and the art world. Buba’s approach to genre art intends to shock audiences with authenticity and accessibility. By shining light on the reality of everyday life, her work holds a mirror up to society and represents social culture that is often disregarded. Labeled Hood-Surrealism, Buba’s work blends traditional aspects of surrealism such as dreamlike aesthetics and warped imagery with Black culture and social references. Her use of found material and everyday subject matter further highlights the importance of class when shaping the experience of low-income Black people.
The CWP Evolution Festival is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
