Jonathan Hernandez
Jonathan Hernandez (he/him) has been creating theater and telling stories since 2005. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Arizona State his primary focus was acting with the two troupes; Theatre in My Basement – a transcultural performance collective and Firebirds – a performance group specializing in myth and rituals of the Medieval Religious stage and Native American performance practices.
In 2015, he received his Master’s degree in Theatre from Portland State University with a focus in scholastic research and performance. Upon graduation he immediately jumped into the arts community performing in Profile Theatre’s Dead Man’s Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl, Milagro Theatre’s La Muerte Baila by Rebecca Martinez, and Oregon Children’s Theatre touring shows like Pedro’s Path to Power directed by Stan Foote, and Above Between Below directed by Tamara Carroll.
In 2021 he performed as Orestes in HeyGhosteater’s production of Electra, performed in his own written work Heaven Resources, and was last seen puppeteering as the Hero Caterpillar in Eric Carle’s A Very Hungry Caterpillar directed by Marcella Crowson.
When not performing on the stage, Jonathan spends his time writing plays. His lates work in development is Mijo: A Family Drama inspired by Eugene O’Neill’s remarkable play ‘Long Day’s Journey into Night’. Jonathan challenges himself by writing a familial piece mirroring his Mexican American heritage to one of O’Neill’s most reputable plays; not only to showcase the similar patterns of family dysfunctions still present after 75 years, but to also illustrate the familial expectations and cultural mores projected on to a generation struggling with their family obligations. Jonathan has hopes of making this play credible and accessible to young Latiné artists across the U.S. so they may have a substantial role where they can flourish in their acting classrooms and shine on the stage.
Check out his podcast Kaleidoscope Radio where Jonathan talks more about writing, tips on acting with confidence, how to help you grow as an artist, and interviews with artists across all types of artistic aesthetics – as they discuss the life of a storyteller and how to master the meaning.