“As a director, Joe is thoughtful, generous, and a complete collaborator, allowing actors to flex their own artistic muscles while guiding the production with a sharp eye for authenticity in the storytelling.”
Joe M Hernandez, M.F.A.
About 20 years ago Joe found himself sitting in a Broadway theatre watching the longest-running Broadway show, Phantom of the Opera. As he sat there and watched this iconic show come to life he knew then that this is what he had to do for the rest of his life. Fast forward 20 years or so and Joe is now a professional director, actor, singer, educator, and branding expert. He has a Master of Fine Arts in Directing from the University of Southern Mississippi, is an Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), a member of The Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE), and a member of the Association for Theatre Movement Educators (ATME) and has a true passion for the Arts as a whole. Joe has directed, acted, and stage-managed regionally and internationally with companies like Ohio Light Opera, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, The Lost Colony, and The International Performing Arts Institute.
In 2018, Joe started his company, jmh MEDIA, which is a Branding and Marketing company that specializes in engaging social media marketing and website designs for theatre and opera artists as well as non-profits and small businesses. He has a true love for branding and loves collaborating with artists and companies to provide them with a social media and web presence that reflects who they truly are. In the Fall of 2019, JMH Media signed with the TCU Opera program to be the exclusive designer for their Artist Diploma students. Additionally, JMH Media’s clients include Broadway Producer, Bruce D. Long, Broadway Actress, Kate Baldwin, Broadway Actor, Graham Rowat, Opera companies Opera Mississippi and Natchez Festival of Music, Artist Management Company, Wade Artist Management, sister duo, Beckthoven Duo, Artists, Hilary Maiberger, A.E.A., Shelly Cooper, Janani Sridhar, world-renowned educator and artist, Dr. Maryann Kyle , playwright, Lila Rose Kaplan and author, Summer Lacy; to name a few.
Over the past 15 years, Joe has harnessed his expertise in marketing and branding, previously honed as a Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications in the corporate realm. Now he travels the country and the world as a working artist creating works that inspire, educate, and change lives while also educating students who are pursuing a career in theatre. He has made his home in Alabama with his wonderful wife, his amazing son, his incredible daughter, and his awesome dogs, Saban Bear, Reacher, Maverick, and Dixie.
Artistic Teaching Philosophy
I am an empathetic educator. It is who I am, not just what I do. I create an environment where students grow not only as artists but, more importantly, as empathetic, genuine, and caring individuals. I aid students in discovering their artistic voice and navigating the business elements of being an artist. My passion for branding expertise allows me to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to achieve their dreams.
As a director, I aspire to be an inspiring artist and produce life-changing work. I push the envelope and find new ways to tell contemporary and classic stories, fostering a passion for creating new forms of relevant theatre and sharing them with my students. I am committed to collaborating with a wide range of artists, believing that together, as a director and educator, we can accept the responsibilities of the gifts we have been given.
I embrace the opportunity to change the face of theatre and the world through the work we produce, blending artistic innovation with strategic business acumen to empower the next generation of artists.
Testimonials
“When I think back on teachers who impacted my life, one of the first to come to mind is Joe Hernandez. His fire and passion for Theatre was evident the moment he stepped in front of our class. I knew whatever he had, I wanted that. Joe made us become better people and artists. He was not going to allow us to be mediocre. He made sure we were challenge every day, on and off the stage.”
“Joe gave me the opportunity to serve as his assistant director, but the role felt much more than just his assistant. What I learned through this is Joe is not afraid to push you because he knows you are capable of great things. Not only did he continue to nudge me out of my comfort zone, but he did that with his students as well. As a young adult, it’s hard to be vulnerable around your mentors and peers. Joe helps his students break down those walls. He opens himself up in order for them to trust him. This encourages them to be fully developed characters onstage and better artists off stage.”
“Joe Hernandez is a mentor and a teacher who manages to see the potential in his students and inspires them to grow to it. He is a director who is highly collaborative and creates an inventive and safe space for actors to play. He is great to work with because he has boundless energy, a generosity of spirit, and a critical eye; this creates a beautiful balance of both an atmosphere of trust and a striving for excellence. I think what sets him apart from other teachers is he not only pushes students to excel, but he inspires them to find that drive within themselves.”
