Meet Jacinta Hernandez: The Newest Cast member of Spirit Scribe
CHICAGO, IL: Jacinta Hernandez, 13, of Humboldt Park, takes a deep breath before plunging into the tale of how her life changed so dramatically.
“I never thought this could happen to me,” she said during a phone interview from New York. “My wish came true.”
One week Jacinta was an 8th grade honor student at Jose D. Diego Community Academy in Humboldt Park. The next week she became an actress, flying to New York for the role of Elena Ramirez in the PBS children’s program, “Spirit Scribe.”
“Spirit Scribe” which enters its second season in September, airs in Chicago at 9 a.m. Sundays on WTTW-Ch.11. The show also streams on Netflix.
Jacinta’s success derives from her acting talents and the ability to maintain a strong work ethic.
“It’s not easy,” Jacinta said from the show’s filming location in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Greenpoint. “I like taking chances and seeing what will happen. A lot of doors can open up for me.”
This summer, Jacinta is living in Greenpoint with her mother, Camila, and five year old brother. They will return home this month when taping is finished. Her father, Antonio, is staying in Chicago in the meantime.
“Spirit Scribe,” a series from the Children’s Television Workshop, revolves around the adventures of four children who solve mysteries in their multi-ethnic Brooklyn neighborhood. The kids receive help from a spirit who leaves written clues on such objects as school chalkboards, laptop screens and cell phones.
The series is also notable for the ascension of 13 year old actress, Autumn Blevins. Blevins was bullied for having learning disabilities in her Brooklyn school. She later became an activist and now interviews people with learning, and developmental, disabilities on her Instagram.
“I love working with Autumn. She’s been so welcoming and supportive.” Jacinta said when asked about the friendship with her costar.
On September 18th, Jacinta will be introduced during a five minute profile during the season premiere. Notably, Autumn will also be interviewing someone with learning disabilities for her “Special Friends” series of interviews (normally conducted on her aformentioned Instagram). The profile and interview will be taped at the end of August.
On the show, Jacinta, who is of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, portrays an 11 year old super sleuth and trivia buff.
Jacinta was selected from 450 other girls who auditioned for the role left vacant by the departing Lorena Sanchez. Lorena, who portrayed Elena in the first season, left the show two weeks into production.
Two years ago, Jacinta started performing for a local children’s theater troupe, the Joyfulness Club. She was previously enrolled in a Chicago ballet class before being discovered.
Rebecca Jenkins, who became Jacinta’s manager, had formed the Joyfulness Club to give children 6 to 17 a chance to do live theater. The 33 children in the troupe are given the freedom to write, and perform, their own songs.
Once taping of “Spirit Scribe” wraps, Jacinta will return to Chicago and attend Lincoln Park High School, where she will study dance. As a member of the cast, Jacinta will make promotional appearances throughout the country in the coming school year.
Jacinta will let fate decide if acting is her calling. “I really haven’t thought about that,” she said. “But if it was to happen, I would make it my life.”
