#62 - Who Carries the Weight of The Piano Lesson? | Chinai Routté & Paige Hernandez of Everyman Theatre

Resident Company Member Chinai Routté and director Paige Hernandez return to The Truth in This Art to illuminate Everyman Theatre’s production of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson. Routté shares the transformative experience of portraying Berniece, the play’s powerful central character, and how her own life informs the role’s emotional depth. Hernandez opens up about the responsibility and honor of being one of the few women to direct an August Wilson work, reflecting on why this representation deeply matters in the American theater landscape. Together, they reveal the enduring impact of The Piano Lesson—exploring its themes of family, memory, and legacy, and discussing how Wilson’s storytelling continues to spark dialogue and unity in Baltimore and beyond. Their conversation uncovers the creative process, the challenges, and the joys of bringing this essential story to the stage. For Routté and Hernandez , The Truth in This Art is a space to share what it means to honor history, create change, and inspire community—one performance at a time. Topics Covered:The significance of The Piano Lesson for today’s audiences and artistsRoutté's journey interpreting Berniece and the layers of family legacyHenandez's perspective as one of few women directing an August Wilson playHow cultural representation and storytelling foster connection in Baltimore Experience the play’s impact at everymantheatre.org and follow @everymantheatre on Instagram for tickets, updates, and behind-the-scenes stories. Host: Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis. Production:Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel AlexisEdited by Daniel AlexisShow Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor Photos:Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted. Support the podcast The Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas (Fundraising): https://www.fracturedatlas.orgThe Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.socialThe Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=enThe Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★