Paloma Sierra
I'm a director, writer, and translator who crosses linguistic barriers to reimagine poetry, theater, and film.
Inaugural Emerging Poet Laureate of Allegheny County, I've presented award-winning poetry in Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean. I've also published with Azahares, The Bookends Review, Poetry Film Live, Bridge: The Bluffton University Literary Journal, Persephone’s Daughters, and Sampsonia Way.
A City Theatre Miami National Short Play Award finalist, I've supported the development of 20+ short and full-length plays and their journeys onto renowned festivals, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.
A Fulbright and Carnegie Mellon alum, I've trained in directing with Carlos Ianni and Randy Kovitz; playwriting/dramaturgy with Rob Handel, Megan Monaghan-Rivas, Anne García-Romero, Migdalia Cruz, and Sandra Silveyra; design and production with Narelle Sissons, Anne Mundell, and Dick Block; and acting with Thelma Biral and Ricardo Lago Oliveira.
I'M CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR COMMISSIONS
pa.sierra.hernandez@gmail.com
CHECK OUT WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO
I Am Soil Breaking Off
Direction / Writing / Production
Video Poetry | 3 min
Life often exposes us to violent storms. But like a mangrove seed, we can find a home wherever we drift.
Every Word I Say to You
Direction / Writing / Production
Video Poetry | 1.5 min
A caretaker experiences various emotions as they care for a loved one who lives with Alzheimer's.
Let This Be
Direction / Writing / Production
Video Poetry | 1.5 min
A poem about national identity and migration.
For the Ones They Took Away
Writing
Play in Verse | 90 min
Ongoing project.
Between Poetry & Performance
Direction / Production / Curation
Workshop Series
Free programming that invites writers of all experience levels to reimagine poetry through theater and film.
Home Language
Direction / Production / Curation
Multilingual Exhibit
A collaboration between artists, writers, and translators to showcase the linguistic diversity in Pittsburgh, PA.
Acting for the Camera
Production Assistance
Short Scenes
Supported film production and rehearsals for a 20-student tv and film acting class in Carnegie Mellon.
F*ck Birthdays
Lighting Design
Short Film
Writing/Direction: Victoria Bartolotta
Cinematography: Nicholas McMillan
Production Management: Sidney Rubinowicz
Production Design: Rosie Villano
Lighting Design: Paloma Sierra
Sound: Olav Carter
Costumes: Khailah Johnson
(in)alienable
Production Design
Web Series
Direction: Jack Dentinger
Production: The Bellwether Project
Photography Direction: Kevin Galloway
Production Design: Paloma Sierra, Sasha Mieles
Costume Design: Nikki LoPinto
Sound Design: Javi Galarza
Media Design: Katy Fetrow
Gazebo
Art Direction / Set Decoration
Short Film
Writing/Direction: Molly Gandour
Production: Ashley George
Music: Andrew Fox, Kent Kercher
Cinematography: Kay Hung
Costume Design: Aaron Crosby
Production Design: Erin Blake
Editorial Department: Jonathan Fred Schneider
Teaching Yourself How to Die Fast
Art Direction / Set Decoration
Short Film
Direction: Grace McCarthy
Production: Carnegie Mellon Drama
Co-Production: Grace McCarthy
Photography Director: Alexander Cronin
Production Design: Christian Fleming
Art Direction / Set Decoration: Paloma Sierra, Sasha Mieles
Costume Design: Meng Han Yeh
Sound Design: Javi Galarza
The Drowsy Chaperone
Assistant Scenic Design
Musical
Direction: Marcia Milgrom Dodge
Production: Carnegie Mellon Drama
Music Direction: Thomas W. Douglas
Scenic Design: Chen-Wei Liao
Assistant Scenic Design: Paloma Sierra, Christian Fleming, Yijun Yang
Lighting Design: Jenna Ferree Robertson
Co-Lighting Design: Shawn Nielson
Costume Design: Gina Cercone
Sound Design: Yiran Zhang
Rosa: The Day of the Dead
Writing
Opera | 20 min
On the Day of the Dead, Rose receives a ghastly visit that unravels truths about her family, heritage, and past.
Close (But Not Too Close!)
Writing
Musical | 15-20 min
Too nervous to meet that special someone in person just yet? Log on to find your perfect date - but watch out for scammers!
Cola'o: A Bilingual Trova
Writing
Play in Verse | 10 min
Two lovers with contrary opinions about Puerto Rican national identity uncover how to prepare “authentic” coffee.
BuT yOuR eNgLiSh Is So GoOd!
Writing
Choreopoem | 5 min
Inspired by the phrase "BuT yOuR eNgLiSh Is So GoOd!"
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
her analytical relationship with language gives her work immediacy, her calibrated sense of irony gives it bite, and the pressure she puts on formal boundaries (...) a reckless irreverence
Rob Handel, Playwright and Librettist
totally engaging and gorgeous
Diana Burbano, Playwright
wide-ranging in form and witty in tone
Leyendo LatAm
translating poetry into images
BELatina
crosses (...) language barriers to bring poetry to the masses
Carnegie Mellon