A conversation with the creator of Paige in Full and Havana Hop
By Carolina Vargas, Director of Marketing
Carolina Vargas: Havana Hop is such a joyful, energetic show — for those who haven’t seen it yet, how would you describe it in your own words?
Paige Hernandez: Havana hop is a joyous solo show that looks at three generations of women who communicate through language, music and memories. Audiences are asked to participate throughout the show for a super engaging experience. This show is a way for everyone to try on a multicultural experience through dance and good vibes.
CV: What inspired you to tell this story about family, culture, and self-confidence?
PH: For so long I struggled with having multiple identities and I always wondered if I was enough. The more I examined what made me unique the more I realized that sometimes our special superpowers lie in our intersections. Havana Hop is a great example of what it means to identify as multiple things and to let every facet shape you.
CV: Why do you think this story resonates so strongly with both kids and adults?
PH: The main perspective of the story is through Yeila, a young girl who has terrible stage fright and lacks confidence to feel creative in any room. It’s not her family who reveals what she needs to do but instead the audience who takes the journey with her to figure out her next steps in real time. I think that’s why the show is incredibly empowering for young people and cloyingly confirming for adults who wish they knew that the secret all along was so much more simple than what we went looking for.
CV: The show includes Spanish and English — why was bilingual storytelling important to you?
PH: It was important to me that audiences get to try on a language in a way that doesn’t feel intimidating or judgmental but instead in an effort to help our hero feel confident. All of a sudden the audience becomes her shield, her guide and experts in trying something new. I knew that I could only achieve that if I made sure that the bilingual component of the show was intentional and simple.
CV: Havana Hop celebrates Cuban and hip-hop culture. How do you blend those two worlds together through dance and storytelling?
PH: Those two things are inherently me so it was easy to create something that already used my combination of cultures and slang that I use in everyday life.
CV: For parents and teachers, why is this show such a great introduction to live theatre?
PH: This show is such a great introduction to live theater because of its inclusiveness. The interactions in the show are genuine and they help to move the plot forward in a way that really gives first time audiences ownership and agency with how they participate in this storytelling. I hope this show inspires others to share their own stories.
CV: The show encourages kids to move and participate — how do you see that interactivity helping them connect to the story?
PH: The interactivity in the show is really what makes it special. I lean into my own style of learning which is kinesthetic . I learn best when I move my body and use my muscle memory. I like to think that audiences walk away remembering so much more from this show because of what they’re asked to do with their bodies throughout the story. There are so many stories of people seeing this show once and then seeing me years later and demonstrating the dance moves—it’s wild and so cool.
CV: What’s something audiences might be surprised to learn about the making of the show?
PH: I always like to share that the making of this show was truly a family affair. My actual little brother Nick tha 1da did all of the original hip hop music in the show and my husband Kris Funn did the original salsa compositions. You can also hear my father playing guitar riffs on certain songs. The set designt was created from bedroom sheets and funky fonts. Everything I wear can be found online or at the mall but really at the end of the day, I hope that all of this demonstrates that anyone can tell a captivating story with intention and thoughtful design.
CV: When you think of Philadelphia audiences, what are you most excited about sharing with them?
PH: Philadelphia has always been one of my favorite neighbors. I grew up in Baltimore and currently reside outside of DC. I’ve worked in Philadelphia theatres several times before but I’ve never been able to share my own work so this is a bigger deal than I can express. This show is a great way to get to know me personally as well as my company’s aesthetic. It’s also cool to have Philly audiences get in on the journey that’s been 15 amazing years of touring the show.
CV: In one word, what does Havana Hop mean to you?
PH: Rejoicing!