Biography

Tim Z. Hernandez is a writer and performer originally from Central California’s San Joaquin Valley. He has studied extensively in a variety of mediums including: creative writing, physical theater and murals, and his written work, performance texts, and art have been published in various anthologies. His performances have been featured in prestigious venues such as: Los Angeles’ Getty Center Museum, The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, San Francisco’s Intersection for the Arts, Stanford University, and at the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics.

In the past, he’s been commissioned by major groups such as the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, and the National Fanny Mae Foundation to write and perform his original plays on issues such as homelessness and poverty. He’s the recipient of several notable awards including: 2006 American Book Award for his debut collection of poetry Skin Tax, 2006 Zora Neal Hurston Award for writers of color who exemplify great literary promise and dedication to their communities, and for his one man show, Diaries of a Macho the 2003 Best Solo Production Award, as well as the 2003 James Duval Phelan Award for best manuscript by an emerging writer sponsored by the San Francisco Foundation.

In the interest of artistic development, Hernandez focuses on excavating stories that bring to light the tribulations, strengths, and limitless potential of the human capacity; internal/ external, stories of physical and metaphysical journeys.

When he’s not busy with classes at Naropa University, he’s on the road collaborating with a band of ahimsa locos known as Mezcal. On any other day, he’s an arts education consultant for non-profit groups, foundations, libraries, and school districts, offering workshops to youth and aspiring writers/ performers. Currently, he resides in Boulder, Colorado with his wife and two daughters.