On Stage

Humberto Bandera is dancing in Ballet Arizona's The Nutcracker, but his journey to the Phoenix stage started with an escape from Cuba.

By Cait Brennan

Humberto Bandera

Holiday Dreams

Ballet Arizona dancer's journey to Phoenix stage started in Cuba

Ballet Arizona's annual holiday celebration, The Nutcracker, tells the story of a young girl who dreams of a dashing Nutcracker prince battling a tyrannical Mouse King. But for one of the company's dancers, a real-life struggle for freedom led him on a journey from the tropics of Cuba to Ballet Arizona's winter wonderland.

Born in Cuba, 27-year old dancer Humberto Bandera spent his youth in the highly competitive School of Ballet of Santiago de Cuba. As his professional star was on the rise as a dancer with Ballet Santiago, Bandera began exploring the outside world via a friend's illicit Internet connection.

Bandera soon became disillusioned with the Castro regime. "This is really a lie, what we believe," he said. "It's so awful." He came to a stark realization. "I don't want to live here anymore."

Humberto Bandera In 2005, he began a challenging journey that took him from Cuba to Haiti on a black market visa. He was brought by smugglers to the Dominican Republic, and then faced a harrowing boat ride to Puerto Rico that ended when the small, overcrowded vessel capsized in the open sea.

As the boat went down, Bandera had to swim for his life. "The wave hit the boat and the water started coming in, and it was ‘Oh, my God,'" he said.

Bandera had another fear — being intercepted by the Coast Guard. According to current law, Cubans are generally granted asylum in the United States if they set foot on American soil. If they are intercepted in the water, however, they are returned to Cuba. A champion swimmer, Bandera reached the shores of Puerto Rico — and freedom.

A government relocation program brought the dancer to Phoenix.

"I'm from Cuba, so I don't stand the cold, it drives me crazy," Bandera said.

The Valley turned out to be a fortuitous choice. "When I came here, I wasn't even thinking of dancing, I just wanted to be free," Bandera said. But while waiting for his permanent residency papers, the Internet once again helped him find his path when a Google search led him to Ballet Arizona. He decided to take a chance and ask for an audition.

While he didn't know anyone in the company, his school's reputation helped earn him a life-changing opportunity. "The Cuban school of ballet is one of the most prestigious in the world," Bandera said. Artistic director Ib Andersen was impressed with his skill, and offered him a contract.

Humberto Bandera Bandera has been with the company since 2006, performing roles in numerous Ballet Arizona productions. He has also devoted himself to becoming an American. "I learned the Constitution the first week I was here," Bandera said. "I really tried to adapt myself to the country and the culture."

Just as the free exchange of ideas on the Internet helped Bandera realize his dreams, he predicted technological and generational change will play a part in Cuba's political future.

"I went to Cuba two weeks ago, and I always talk to young people. None of the young people care about Castro's revolution. They just care about pop, having a cell phone, the Internet, Rhianna and, like, Lady Gaga. That's all they care about," he said, laughing. "It's like ‘Who cares?' They don't like the system. The more technology progresses, the harder it will be for the regime to control."

"The old system in Russia came down, and that was pretty strong," Bandera said. "This has to happen someday."

Christmas in America is very different than in Cuba, where Bandera said the holiday is rarely celebrated, taking a backseat to Castro's "Revolution Day" each Jan. 1.

"Some people have their tree, and people who have family in Miami that have more influence from the U.S., they do celebrate it," said Bandera. "But it's really small."

Humberto Bandera This is Bandera's fifth production of Ballet Arizona's The Nutcracker. He dances a variety of characters in the show, which is choreographed by Ib Andersen to a memorable score by Tchaikovsky.

In addition to the company's 36 professional dancers, more than 40 children from around the Valley have been rehearsing for several weeks to bring the ballet's imaginative world of dancing toys, flowers, mice and snowflakes to life.

Bandera, who gives private lessons to young students, said ballet can improve lives. "It gives you something from all points of view," Bandera said. "You get to appreciate the arts in general. You get to dance. You get to learn all the beautiful music. It's good for the problem of kids being overweight. I think it's amazing."

The Nutcracker, Bandera said, is the perfect introduction. "I think it's one of the best things you can take your kids to," Bandera said. "To be a family and to take your kids to watch it, it actually helps you to appreciate more what Christmas is about."

This holiday season finds Bandera thankful for his new life, and looking forward to 2012, when he will earn full United States citizenship. "I really like the way Americans are, the way this country was built. I feel really blessed to be here," Bandera said. "I feel blessed that I can be part of it." -E

VITAL STATISTICS

Ballet Arizona's The Nutcracker
Dec. 9-24
Symphony Hall
75 N. Second St., Phoenix
Tickets $17-$121
602-381-1096; www.balletaz.com