Trending Now - Cuban Dancer Embraces Street Performance Amid Art Scene Decline

WHO:

ABC News - Juan Miguel Mas, a renowned Cuban dancer and choreographer.

ABC News - Michel Hernández, an essayist and arts journalist.

ABC News - Danza Voluminosa, the dance troupe directed by Juan Miguel Mas.

WHAT:

ABC News - Juan Miguel Mas has faced significant challenges due to Cuba's economic crisis.

ABC News - Mas's teaching contract with the National Theater of Cuba has been suspended.

ABC News - Mas's company, Danza Voluminosa, provided a home for dancers whose bodies diverged from industry norms until it became inactive in 2024.

ABC News - In 2025, Mas starred in a fictional film titled “Cherri,” based on his life experiences.

ABC News - Mas conducts dance workshops and classes for children and coordinates community performances.

WHERE:

ABC News - Mas is based in Havana, Cuba.

ABC News - The performances took place in the Marianao district of Havana.

ABC News - Mas accesses subsidized medications at a state-run pharmacy across the street from his home.

WHEN:

ABC News - Mas was born in 1965.

ABC News - Mas made his debut in 1996.

ABC News - Danza Voluminosa remained active until 2024.

ABC News - Mas's sister and teenage nephew relocated to Spain last year.

WHY:

ABC News - The economic crisis in Cuba has led to persistent blackouts, water outages, soaring costs, and a lack of transportation.

ABC News - The cultural sector in Cuba is facing a mass exodus, compounded by the cancellation of shows and lack of production budgets.

HOW:

ABC News - Mas supplements his income by leasing a small area of his home for business use and hosting weekend garage sales featuring curated recycled items.

ABC News - Mas engages with children in his community by transforming a street corner into a stage for performances.

(UPDATED May 15, 2026 13:31 UTC)

Juan Miguel Mas, a renowned Cuban dancer and choreographer based in Havana, has faced significant challenges due to Cuba's ongoing economic crisis, including the suspension of his teaching contract with the National Theater of Cuba. His dance troupe, Danza Voluminosa, which once provided a home for dancers whose bodies diverged from industry norms, became inactive in 2024, while Mas continues to engage with his community through workshops and performances. Despite these difficulties, he supplements his income by leasing part of his home for business and hosting weekend garage sales, all while navigating the harsh realities of life in a country grappling with persistent blackouts and soaring costs.