HISPANIC ALLIANCE FOR PERFORMING AND AUDIOVISUAL ARTS
ABOUT US
MISSION & VISION
At the Hispanic Alliance for the Performing and Audiovisual Arts (HAPAA), we believe that art has the power to transform individuals and strengthen communities. Our mission is to empower artists and communities through comprehensive training in the performing and audiovisual arts in Spanish while creating opportunities for cultural exchange and artistic expression. We believe that everyone deserves access to the arts, regardless of background, language, immigration status, economic circumstances, or any other personal characteristic. HAPAA works to expand access and reduce barriers that may limit participation in the arts, ensuring that our programs and services remain open and welcoming to all. Our work is grounded in three core pillars: training, creation, and transformation. We provide safe, accessible, and collaborative spaces where artists can learn, experiment, produce, and share their stories, developing technical skills, critical thinking, autonomy, and creative leadership. We foster exploration, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration that encourage dialogue, cultural understanding, and creative expression. We believe in art as a bridge between cultures and as a powerful force that strengthens identity, community engagement, and mutual understanding. In essence, HAPAA does more than train artists: we build community, inspire creativity, and cultivate the future through the collective power of art. Our vision is a world where every person has the opportunity to express their creativity, be heard, and contribute their story to a vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape.
HISTORY
The Hispanic Alliance for Performing and Audiovisual Arts (HAPAA) traces its roots to 2017, when it began as an independent theater collective under the name *Chilakill Teatro*. Founded by a group of artists committed to creating meaningful and socially relevant work in Spanish, the organization quickly established itself as a platform for storytelling that reflects the experiences and cultural contributions of Latino, immigrant, and multicultural communities while fostering dialogue and understanding among diverse audiences.
During its early years, HAPAA produced a series of original and adapted theatrical works, including *Cama Para Tres, Caja de Pandora, La Vida es Corta, Término Medio, El Sueño, The Zoo Story,* and *El Principito*. Through these productions, the organization explored themes such as family, identity, migration, social inclusion, and human relationships, encouraging dialogue and cultural understanding through the performing arts.
In 2021, HAPAA formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, marking a new chapter in its development. With this transition came an expanded mission: not only to produce artistic work, but also to increase access to arts education, support emerging artists, and strengthen cultural engagement within the community.
Today, HAPAA’s work is centered around three interconnected pillars: **training, creation, and transformation**.
Through educational programs, workshops, mentorship opportunities, and professional development initiatives, HAPAA provides artists and community members with opportunities to develop skills in theater, film, and other performing and audiovisual disciplines. These programs are designed to nurture creativity, encourage artistic excellence, and create pathways for participation in the arts.
As a producing organization, HAPAA continues to develop original theatrical productions, festivals, and multidisciplinary artistic projects that celebrate Hispanic and multicultural experiences while welcoming audiences from all backgrounds. Signature initiatives such as **Danzas en Tarima**, a dance storytelling festival that brings powerful narratives into an intimate performance space, exemplify the organization’s commitment to innovative artistic expression and community dialogue.
A significant milestone in HAPAA’s growth has been the development and operation of **Carol Theater**, a community-centered cultural venue in Southwest Houston. As HAPAA’s artistic home, Carol Theater serves as a space for performances, educational programming, festivals, artist residencies, and collaborative projects. Beyond supporting HAPAA’s own productions, the theater has become a resource for independent artists and community organizations seeking an accessible and inclusive space to create and share their work.
Throughout its evolution, HAPAA has remained guided by a simple yet powerful belief: the arts have the ability to strengthen communities, foster understanding, and inspire positive change. By creating opportunities for artistic expression, preserving and celebrating Hispanic cultural heritage, and expanding access to creative experiences, HAPAA continues to build bridges between artists and audiences and to cultivate the next generation of cultural leaders.
As the organization looks toward the future, HAPAA remains committed to empowering artists, enriching communities, and ensuring that the performing and audiovisual arts remain accessible, relevant, and transformative for all.
HAPAA
Statement on Inclusion and Equal Opportunity
The Hispanic Alliance for Performing and Audiovisual Arts (HAPAA) is committed to fostering an environment of respect, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all individuals.
As an arts organization dedicated to celebrating and preserving Hispanic and multicultural artistic expression, HAPAA believes that the performing and audiovisual arts are strengthened by the participation of people with diverse experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds.
At HAPAA, we:
- Provide programs, services, and opportunities that are open and accessible to all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
- Foster a welcoming and respectful environment for our staff, artists, volunteers, audiences, and community members.
- Promote cultural understanding and appreciation through artistic programming that reflects the richness and diversity of our communities.
- Strive to remove barriers to participation and expand access to arts education, cultural experiences, and creative opportunities.
- Maintain policies and practices that support fairness, equal opportunity, and nondiscrimination in employment, participation, and the delivery of our programs and services.
HAPAA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, or any other protected characteristic in the administration of its programs, services, employment practices, or activities. Participation in HAPAA programs is open to all eligible individuals consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
As an organization dedicated to Hispanic arts and culture, HAPAA develops programs that celebrate and preserve cultural heritage while ensuring that participation and access to its programs remain open to all individuals consistent with applicable law.
This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.
Board of Directors
ALICIA HERNANDEZ
ALEXANDRO MARTINEZ
PORFIRIO MARTINEZ
To request information, contact or send correspondence to:
Hispanic Alliance for Performing and Audiovisual Arts Inc
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
8600 Westpark Dr STE 116, Houston, TX 77063
CAROL THEATER
8600 Westpark Dr STE 116, Houston, TX 77063
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 832-431-9823