San Diego Artist Debuts One-Woman Show Blending Poetry, Dance, and Visual Art
She Turned Loss Into Art: A Vietnamese Artist Brings a One-Woman Show of Poetry, Dance, and Hand-Painted Visuals to San Diego
In an intimate theater space in San Diego, a single performer steps onto the stage – surrounded by objects she painted herself, wearing costumes that are also her own artwork, and telling a story shaped by loss.
Vietnamese artist Linh Tran presents a one-woman show that blends original poetry, dance, and visual art into a deeply personal and immersive experience. Created from lived experiences of loss and emotional transformation, the show invites audiences into a space where movement, language, and visual expression become inseparable.
Every element of the show is original: All poems and songs are written and composed in English by Linh Tran, while every costume and prop seen on stage is hand-painted and created by the artist herself – transforming the performance into what she describes as a “living gallery.”
In addition to her performance work, Linh Tran’s visual art has been exhibited in gallery settings, further highlighting her multidisciplinary approach that brings together visual art, movement, and storytelling.
“I’m not just performing,” Linh Tran said. “I’m sharing something I lived through. Every piece on stage carries a part of that story.”
The show explores themes of motherhood, identity, loss, and resilience – told not only through words, but through movement and visual symbolism rooted in Vietnamese culture. At the same time, it reflects a life shaped in the United States, creating a bridge between cultural heritage and contemporary lived experience.
Linh Tran has previously performed her poetry across San Diego, including at Slam San Diego, Fashion for Freedom hosted by Break Free: Mental Health, Healing, and Hope for Survivors, the Tortured Hearts Ball, Fabric of Pride by San Diego Pride, and Artist in the House by the Junior League of San Diego.
Now, her most personal work takes center stage as part of the San Diego International Fringe Festival 2026, one of the region’s leading platforms for independent and experimental performing arts.
Event Details:
Dates & Times:
• May 19 at 6:00 PM
• May 23 at 6:00 PM
• May 24 at 2:30 PM
Duration: 60 minutes
Location: Light Box Theatre
Tickets: $13
More Information: https://sdfringe.org/events/where-the-heart-belongs/
