Quinn Xavier Hernandez

Quinn Xavier Hernandez

QUINN XAVIER HERNANDEZ is a theatremaker currently residing in Atlanta, GA (originally from Charlotte, NC). Their two favorite books-turned-movies of all time are MATILDA and THE HELP; as a playwright, their work explores the spectrum between the two. Their play, MOMMA, was originally developed at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center during their time with the National Theater Institute. It has gone on to...
QUINN XAVIER HERNANDEZ is a theatremaker currently residing in Atlanta, GA (originally from Charlotte, NC). Their two favorite books-turned-movies of all time are MATILDA and THE HELP; as a playwright, their work explores the spectrum between the two. Their play, MOMMA, was originally developed at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center during their time with the National Theater Institute. It has gone on to receive development through Working Title Playwrights' masterclasses and the competitive Ethel Woolson Lab series. Their short plays STORM CLOUDS FOR LONELY HEARTS, EAT YOU ALIVE, and YOU ARE GOING TO DO AMAZING THINGS have been featured at the ImproStudio in Los Angeles through the Wishbone Theatre Collective; at the Atlanta Mask Center through the Atlanta AppCo Alumni Association; and virtually through Actor's Express, respectively. They originated Working Title Playwrights' New Play Development and Production Apprenticeship under the mentorship of Amber Bradshaw and Rebekah Suellau and now serve as the organization's Assistant Managing Director. Quinn is also a founding member of The Cultivators, an Atlanta-based new works development organization empowering its member playwrights to create original and impactful works of theatre and film. Quinn received their B.A. in Performing Arts (Theatre) with a minor in Dramatic Writing from Clemson University in May of 2018. They are also a proud alumnus of the National Theater Institute’s Advanced Playwriting program (Spring 2017).

Plays

  • Momma
    FULL-LENGTH – Helen has wanted to be a mother her entire life, but bearing a child has proved more difficult than she hoped. Parenthood is the furthest thing from Evelyn’s mind. When Helen casts a spell to make her dreams come true and Evelyn suddenly comes face to face with an unexpected pregnancy, both must decide if they have what it takes to be called “Momma.”
  • DEATH BEFORE DECAF!! a dramatic retelling of heavily caffeinated events
    FULL-LENGTH – Deep in the bowels of a corporate-run cafe, a mythical and mysterious Icon yearns to return to the time of gathering, giving, and the simple pleasure of a perfect cup of coffee. Meanwhile, behind the counter, the cafe’s crew struggles to survive within the personality-flattening pressure of corporate policy and service culture. In one epic day of new barista training, /DEATH BEFORE DECAF!! a...
    FULL-LENGTH – Deep in the bowels of a corporate-run cafe, a mythical and mysterious Icon yearns to return to the time of gathering, giving, and the simple pleasure of a perfect cup of coffee. Meanwhile, behind the counter, the cafe’s crew struggles to survive within the personality-flattening pressure of corporate policy and service culture. In one epic day of new barista training, /DEATH BEFORE DECAF!! a dramatic retelling of heavily caffeinated events/ welcomes us into their frenetic world, as the Icon reminds us all of the crucial truth: at the end of the day, it’s really just coffee.
  • Spicy White
    FULL-LENGTH – Gabriel and Ana Teresa are the closest of friends until Gabriel is adopted by a white family, starts going by Gabe, and stops speaking Spanish. When Ana confronts him, it leads to a falling out that forces them to face the complexities of race, Latinidad, and accountability for the rest of their lives. SPICY WHITE is an intimate but scathing examination of the intersections of identity that asks...
    FULL-LENGTH – Gabriel and Ana Teresa are the closest of friends until Gabriel is adopted by a white family, starts going by Gabe, and stops speaking Spanish. When Ana confronts him, it leads to a falling out that forces them to face the complexities of race, Latinidad, and accountability for the rest of their lives. SPICY WHITE is an intimate but scathing examination of the intersections of identity that asks white-passing individuals to consider their role in white supremacy.
  • Happiness is Homemade
    **A YOUTH VERSION IS ALSO AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST**
    FULL-LENGTH – Martha Marmalade has made it her life's work to cook up something extra decadent every week just for the sake of the folks at home... and the adoration that comes with it. Life is sweet, at least until an unexpected visitor arrives on set and adds just a dash of something bitter. Between takes, follow along as numerous characters laugh...
    **A YOUTH VERSION IS ALSO AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST**
    FULL-LENGTH – Martha Marmalade has made it her life's work to cook up something extra decadent every week just for the sake of the folks at home... and the adoration that comes with it. Life is sweet, at least until an unexpected visitor arrives on set and adds just a dash of something bitter. Between takes, follow along as numerous characters laugh, cry, create, destroy, and start more than a few food fights. It might not always be pretty, but what is life without a messy sauce?
  • Aegis
    ONE ACT – After ten years of dodging a constant stream of suitors, Medusa offers herself up to the Goddess Athena in order to carve her own path. She hopes to find a new way of living through Athena's teachings and discipline, but she ends up finding something far more sinister when a mysterious stranger appears in the temple after dark.
  • Storm Clouds for Lonely Hearts
    SHORT – Jenna just wants to feel comfortable in her own skin. Claire yearns for someone she can really connect and make a life with. As a bank of storm clouds gathers overhead, they both might just find what they're looking for in each other. After all, life is a storm and sometimes you have to learn to dance in the rain.
  • Eat You Alive
    SHORT – Ana Teresa is writing on Gabriel's arm because they may not see each other again for a very long time. Gabriel can't seem to sit still. It's a struggle that ends differently than either of them could possibly imagine.

    **This is an earlier draft of a scene that is now part of a full-length entitled SPICY WHITE**
  • Chatterbox
    SHORT – Matt and Amanda are exploring the new world of chatrooms. It’s enticing to be anyone you want online, but at what price?

    Originally commissioned as part of Interface: An Evening of New Virtual Plays with Interface Theater
  • Surprise!
    SHORT – A surprise party might just lead to a meltdown for this interpersonal relationship.
  • A Cry Headache and a Strong Taste for Bacon
    MONOLOGUE – The worst day of Rori's life is coming to an end. Too bad it's not over yet.
  • you are going to do amazing things
    MONOLOGUE – A young father records a message for the newborn daughter whom he’s given up for adoption and whom he may never know.

    Originally commissioned as part of Virtual Downstage with Actor's Express
  • A Direct Quote
    MONOLOGUE – In the middle of a long shift at work, Adelina decides to confront her manager, Nick, over a new rule he's supposedly implemented.

    Originally commissioned as part of Equitable Dinners with Out of Hand Theater
  • Escape Room
    MONOLOGUE – Brycen thinks he has the perfect date planned, but things don't go quite as expected.
  • Heartbeat
    ONE MINUTE – Sometimes what the heart wants, the heart gets.

    Written for the 2019 Atlanta One Minute Play Festival