Like many Gen Xers, Rochester native Carrie Vanhouten fell in love with the Muppets of Sesame Street and The Muppet Show at an early age, and has been slightly obsessed with puppets ever since. She is the creator and co-founder of The Menopause Monologues and is the writer and performer of the puppet monologue, “Caroline’s Vagina has Something to Say”. Carrie has three kids, two of whom are pursuing acting degrees at NYU, and regularly performs with her local improv comedy group. She’s a Reiki practitioner and runs The Energy ApotheCarrie, a creative healing space in the Bay Area. Voted “Most Optimistic” in high school, Carrie believes theater is a potent feminist tool for dismantling oppressive systems and sparking cultural change. She finds joy in creating mixed media art, gardening, cat rescue, and enjoys her semi-retirement from cooking nightly family dinners. She is married to the absolute best nicest most wonderful husband whose name is Matt. Thanks, Matt, for being an unflinching supporter of me and this entire show.