In Havana’s Vedado district, a small but resilient theatre group continues to perform despite severe challenges brought on by ongoing energy shortages and economic difficulties affecting the island. Impulso Teatro, a niche company known for its cultural contributions, has faced nearly continuous blackouts that at times have lasted close to 24 hours, severely disrupting rehearsals and performances.
Linda Soriano, director of Impulso Teatro, described the toll taken on the group as exhaustion and difficulty with punctuality became prevalent among the actors. Despite these obstacles, the company’s members resolved to persist in their artistic endeavors, underscoring a commitment to sustaining Cuba’s rich tradition in theatre, music, and ballet.
The situation has been exacerbated since the beginning of the year when the United States imposed a fuel embargo intended to pressure the Cuban government. This move has intensified blackouts and led to shortages of food, fuel, water, and public transportation, compounding the hardship for arts communities and the wider population. At the same time, significant numbers of young artists and performers have left the country in an unprecedented wave of emigration following the COVID-19 pandemic.
A recent performance in a converted mansion featured 14 actors working under challenging conditions without electricity, air conditioning, or a sound system. The theater relied on rechargeable lights and the raw energy of the performers to engage the audience. Carlos Perez, an 88-year-old national theatre prize winner and the company’s oldest member, acknowledged the personal and collective sacrifices involved. Many in the troupe hold multiple jobs to support themselves amid soaring prices and a devalued peso.
Perez reflected on the difficulties facing younger generations in the arts, expressing doubt about his ability to manage under such conditions at a young age. Audience members, like Amanda Feijo, find these performances a rare source of emotional sustenance. Feijo described the theatre gatherings as moments of light and hope amidst the island’s pervasive hardships, highlighting the enduring spirit of both performers and spectators.
The continuation of Impulso Teatro’s work exemplifies the broader struggle and resilience of Cuban artists committed to preserving cultural expression in the face of mounting adversities.