Paige Hernandez

Resident Company Member Chinai Routté and director Paige Hernandez return to The Truth in This Art to illuminate Everyman Theatre’s production of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson.Routté shares the transformative experience of portraying Berniece, the play’s powerful central character, and how her own life informs the role’s emotional depth. Hernandez opens up about the responsibility and honor of being one of the few women to direct an August Wilson work, reflecting on why this representation deeply matters in the American theater landscape.Together, they reveal the enduring impact of The Piano Lesson—exploring its themes of family, memory, and legacy, and discussing how Wilson’s storytelling continues to spark dialogue and unity in Baltimore and beyond. Their conversation uncovers the creative process, the challenges, and the joys of bringing this essential story to the stage.For Routté and Hernandez , The Truth in This Art is a space to share what it means to honor history, create change, and inspire community—one performance at a time.Topics Covered:The significance of The Piano Lesson for today’s audiences and artistsRoutté's journey interpreting Berniece and the layers of family legacyHenandez's perspective as one of few women directing an August Wilson playHow cultural representation and storytelling foster connection in BaltimoreExperience the play’s impact at everymantheatre.org and follow @everymantheatre on Instagram for tickets, updates, and behind-the-scenes stories.

Welcome aboard 'The Truth in This Art' podcast, under the guidance of your host, Rob Lee. On today’s episode, we have Paige Hernandez, a celebrated Baltimore native and versatile multidisciplinary artist, who commands the stage as a gifted performer, director, choreographer, and playwright. Her exceptional talent has garnered recognition and collaboration with esteemed institutions such as the Lincoln Center, the Smithsonian, The Kennedy Center, and more. Paige's impressive portfolio boasts an Individual Artist Award from the Maryland State Arts Council, four Helen Hayes nominations, and accolades like being named a "Citizen Artist Fellow" by the Kennedy Center, a "40 under 40" honoree by the Washington Post, and a notable figure in American Theatre Magazine. As the Associate Artistic Director of Everyman Theatre in her hometown, Paige remains deeply connected to her roots while also extending her impact internationally through her company B-FLY ENTERTAINMENT, which crafts multicultural, multigenerational hip-hop experiences. Her autobiographical solo show, "Page in Full: A B-Girl's Visual Mixtape," has resonated profoundly, and she continues to push creative boundaries with new endeavors, including a commissioned show by the Maya Angelou Estate.In this podcast:Embark on a captivating discussion about the integral role of collaboration in multidisciplinary art, as we delve into how surrounding oneself with talented collaborators shapes the path to artistic success.Join us in unraveling the intricate nature of creativity, exploring the interplay between innate potential and cultivated skill, while unraveling how diverse experiences and consistent practice contribute to its vibrant evolution.Tune in to an insightful dialogue on the profound significance of representation within the arts, focusing on the essential role of reflecting diverse identities, particularly for the youth, as we explore how visibility empowers and inspires the next generation of creatives.Engage in a thought-provoking conversation as we delve into the transformative impact of challenging norms and disrupting established systems in the pursuit of creating profoundly meaningful and impactful artistic expressions.This is an episode you don't want to miss! Paige discusses her journey in the performing arts and the importance of collaboration in her work. She shares how she got started in the arts, her influences, and the catalyst for becoming a playwright. Paige emphasizes the need to nurture creativity and the importance of representation in the arts. She also highlights recent influences, such as the theatrical experience "American Utopia" by David Byrne and the sculpture "Rumors of War" by Kehinde Wiley.Mentioned in this episode:B-FLY ENTERTAINMENT🎧🌟 Don't forget to rate and review this episode to support the best in podcasting! 🌟🎧