The Prince & the Pana

The Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Austin, TX invites you to the upcoming debut of The Prince & The Pana, our 21st annual, original theater production that promises to captivate audiences as it brings Puerto Rican history to life through live music, dance, storytelling, cocobalé (Afro-Puerto Rican stick and machete fighting),… and a touch of magic.

Set in the mid-19th century, prior to the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico, The Prince & The Pana uses historical fiction to depict the struggles, hardship, treachery, victories, and joy of life in that era. The dialog weaves together English, Spanish, and Taíno (the language of Puerto Rican indigenous people) to tell the story of an African prince on his quest to save his kingdom, outsmart corruption, and help his new Puerto Rican friends.

The tale also explores the history of La Majestád (Majesty), the last known illegal slave ship to arrive in Puerto Rico in 1859, and challenges historic stereotypes by highlighting strong, visionary women (Taíno descendants) who were ahead of their time.

Set your GPS to:
810 Chalmers Ave
Austin TX 78702

Enter campus at the large gateway across the street from the parking lot. Go to the end of the walkway and look to the right (South) for the bell tower.  The chapel is next to the bell tower. Look for signs with Puerto Rican Flag logo.

Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance, Inc. (dba “Puerto Rican Cultural Center”,) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote cultural awareness and pride through performing arts programs and cultural events based in Puerto Rican folklore, history, and living traditions–dance, music, community theater, ancestral fighting arts, and indigenous Taíno heritage.  We are the only center in Texas and the Southwest affiliated with the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture (ICP) that offers ongoing cultural programs that cannot otherwise be experienced in this region.

Sembrando Herencia 2023 is sponsored in part by Huston-Tillotson University, the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) – East Austin Cultural District, and the Bullock Texas State History Museum! Our 2023/24 Season is additionally sponsored in part by the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture (NALAC), TCA with the National Endowment for the Arts, and the City of Austin Economic Development Division.

Will you be our next sponsor?