This year is the “Year of Cuba” at Kennesaw State and there is no shortage of events celebrating and exploring the various identities of the small, yet influential, Caribbean nation.
KSU’s Stillwell Theater hosted three performances of Marissa Chibas’ “Daughter of a Cuban Revolutionary” from Sept. 5th to Sept. 7th. This collective biographical narrative about the Chibas family told the story of the many ways they impacted Cuban history and vice versa.
Marissa Chibas’ uncle Eduardo Chibas co-authored the 1940 Cuban constitution and hosted a very popular Cuban radio show. Her father Raul Chibas co-wrote “The Manifesto of the Sierra Maestra” alongside former Cuban President Fidel Castro and Felipe Pazos, a Cuban economist. Both men helped propel the 1959 Cuban Revolution forward.
Marissa Chibas’ performance wove a tale of corruption, blood, sacrifice and hard-fought victory as many forces vied for control of the Caribbean nation. Many Cubans were caught in the crossfire of this struggle throughout the 1900’s and others forced to flee.
In 1960, Raul Chibas and his wife Dalia Chibas, the runner-up for Miss Cuba in 1959, were forced to immigrate to the U.S. through Miami. They ultimately wound up in New York City. It was here that their daughter Marissa Chibas was born.
Marissa Chibas was raised with a blend of Cuban and U.S. cultures and since both nations were tremendously meaningful in her upbringing, she decided to visit Cuba later in life to learn more about her ancestry. Despite a bittersweet reunion, it gave her the knowledge and drive to create her performance.
The performance at KSU was a one man show where Marissa Chibas used what she refers to as a “Mythic Imagination” to take on the perspective of her extended and immediate family members, as well as her own.
Marissa Chibas said this show was noble to her heart.
“My motivation is to claim my father’s place in history,” she said. “His memory has been largely erased from Cuba by the current government. It is my job to tell his and the rest of my family’s story.”
Marissa Chibas believes that the world portrays the Cuban Revolution as Communist, a notion she disagrees with.
“There are many figures besides Castro and other communists who are just as worthy of recognition,” she explained. “Democratic leaders like my father, who helped many Cubans that were struggling should be recognized as well.”
When this production was first conceived, the original vision for it was as a documentary. Marissa Chibas’ experience as an actress and performer led to it transitioning into narrative performance art with the help of two collaborators.
Though the intention of the play was positive, ambivalent emotions were expressed by Marissa Chibas.
“When I first started [Daughter of a Cuban Revolutionary] both of my parents were alive. Now they are gone. It is difficult to be reminded of their passing, but I do still feel their presence spiritually,” she said.
Marissa Chibas has also had to deal with technical difficulties.
“I have had to perform in unusual venues such as people’s homes or even outside,” Marissa Chibas said. “I have sometimes had to use rocks and other less than ideal stand-ins for props. This is why sound and video effects teams are super helpful, like the ones here.”
However difficult things may get, Marissa Chibas remains resolute. She was confident that her performances were helping to bring people together.
“Both Cuban and American cultures are tremendously meaningful to me. But some in Cuba and even America still suffer. I hope that we can continue to build bridges between these two cultures,” she said.
She also spoke positively of her time at KSU.
“This is a fantastic school,” shed said. “The students and staff are imaginative, open, receptive and appreciative. It is a pleasure to be here.”
She hopes that one day she can return to perform.
For more on “Daughter of a Cuban Revolutionary” or Marissa Chibas’ many other performances, visit marissachibas.com. For more on upcoming shows in the Stillwell theater, visit the Performances website.
