Cuban Choreographer Juan Miguel Mas Adapts to Economic Crisis with Street Performances

Juan Miguel Mas, a 60-year-old innovative choreographer and founder of Danza Voluminosa in the late 1990s, has transitioned from performing at the 2,000-seat National Theater to leading dance workshops and performances in the streets of Havana. His company, dedicated to larger-bodied dancers and featured in a Canadian documentary, continued its activities until 2024. Currently, Mas is grappling with Cuba's dire economic conditions—characterized by blackouts, water shortages, rising prices, and transportation challenges—alongside canceled performances and dwindling production funds. His contract with the National Theater of Cuba has been halted. To earn extra income from children's workshops, he rents part of his home and organizes weekend garage sales. Recently, in the Marianao district, he turned a street corner into a stage for 30 children dressed as bees and vibrant characters. Trained by Laura Alonso, Ramiro Guerra, and Lorna Burdsall, Mas made his debut in 1996 and appeared in the 2025 film "Cherri," inspired by his life. He remains resolute about not emigrating, fearing a loss of his "Cubanness." Essayist Michel Hernández has characterized the future of the arts as "complex and bleak."