Emmy Award–Winning Filmmaker and World-Renowned Hoop Dancer Eric Michael Hernandez Brings Courage in Motion to Tucson
One-night event at Fox Tucson Theatre combines the award-winning short film Courage, live hoop dance and an intimate conversation with the artist behind the story
TUCSON, Ariz. Oct. 9, 2026—After performing for millions around the world with Cirque du Soleil, taking his personal story to the TEDx stage and recently earning a 2026 Emmy Award for his filmmaking, world-renowned Native American hoop dancer Eric Michael Hernandez is bringing those parts of his remarkable career together for one extraordinary evening in Tucson. Hernandez is a proud member of the Lumbee Tribe, and he will be joined on stage with special guest Tohono O'odham dancer Ba'ac Garcia.
"Courage in Motion" with Eric Michael Hernandez
Presented by Western National Parks (WNP), a nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, Courage in Motion with Eric Michael Hernandez comes to the Fox Tucson Theatre on Thursday, November 5, at 7 PM. The evening begins with a screening of Courage, the short film written and directed by Hernandez and inspired by his own life. The film recently earned Hernandez a 2026 Emmy Award for his work as director.
Then, Hernandez takes the stage.
A world-renowned hoop dancer with more than 20 years of experience, Hernandez will continue the evening through live hoop dance and conversation, giving audiences the opportunity to experience the personal journey behind Courage through film, movement, and Hernandez’s own words.
Ticket proceeds support cultural stewardship initiatives in WNP's National Park Service partner sites and help make possible a free matinee performance for local K-12 students, presented in partnership with the Fox Tucson Theatre and ActOne.
“As Indigenous people, we are the original storytellers," said Hernandez. "To have the opportunity to share my story through dance, voice and film all in the same night is the dream of my ancestors. I can’t wait to bring these mediums to the stage of the historic Fox Tucson Theatre.”
Hernandez began learning hoop dance from his uncle and mentor Terry Goedel, a 10-time world hoop dance champion. What began within family would eventually take Hernandez around the world. He went on to perform as a lead artist in Cirque du Soleil’s Totem, bringing Native American hoop dance to audiences in more than 17 countries.
Hernandez will be joined by Ba'ac Garcia, a member of the Tohono O'odham Nation whose O'odham name, Ba'ac, means "Eagle." Garcia leads RedBoy Productions, a Native-owned dance company that shares Indigenous cultures through song, dance, and storytelling. Garcia has performed at major cultural events across the country. On November 5, Garcia will bring his perspective as a Tohono O'odham artist to the Fox Tucson Theatre stage, representing his Tribal heritage through a live Fancy Dance performance.
About Courage in Motion
In hoop dance, the hoop is the story. Through intricate movement, multiple hoops come together and transform, creating an art form rooted in tradition and alive in the present. Hernandez brings extraordinary athleticism and artistry to that tradition, and the November 5 performance gives audiences the rare opportunity to first encounter his story through the filmmaker’s lens and then see it take new shape through the hoop dance.
That personal journey is at the center of Courage. Written and directed by Hernandez, the film follows a young Native American man reconnecting with his Indigenous identity through hoop dance. Hernandez describes the film as drawing from his own experiences, family and the complexities of growing up Native in an urban world.
The film has received recognition at festivals across North America and earned honors including Best Drama at the 2025 Sioux City International Film Festival. Most recently, Courage became a 2026 Emmy Award–winning film, marking a major milestone in Hernandez’s emerging career behind the camera.
Hernandez has also brought his story and perspective to the TEDx stage and built an online community of nearly 500,000 followers across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Across film, performance, speaking, and digital media, his work challenges stereotypes while sharing contemporary Native American experiences and ancestral knowledge with audiences around the world.
At Courage in Motion, those different parts of Hernandez’s work come together in one place. Cinematic and intimate, celebratory and deeply personal, the evening invites audiences not simply to watch Courage, but to hear from the artist behind it and experience the hoop dance tradition at the heart of his journey.
An Evening That Opens Doors for Students and Supports National Parks
The impact of Courage in Motion will extend beyond the evening performance. Ticket proceeds help support a free matinee performance for local K-12 students, expanding access to Hernandez’s storytelling, cultural education, and live hoop dance for young people in the Tucson community.
The event also supports cultural stewardship initiatives in Western National Parks' network of partner parks. Since 1938, WNP has partnered with the National Park Service to advance education, interpretation, research and community engagement. Today, the nonprofit supports 72 partner parks across 12 Western states, helping fund educational programming, research, visitor services, community programs and other initiatives that deepen connections between people and national parks. Proceeds from Courage in Motion will specifically help fund park projects that ensure Indigenous voices are represented, valued, and respected.
“As a member of the Western National Parks Board of Directors and Chair of our newly established Cultural Stewardship Committee, I’m proud of WNP’s work to ensure Indigenous voices, cultures, and stories are meaningfully represented in our national parks,” said Jason Coochwytewa (Isleta Pueblo & Hopi). “We’re especially excited to welcome Eric Michael Hernandez to Tucson during Native American Heritage Month. Through film, storytelling, and hoop dance, Eric represents a powerful connection between tradition and contemporary Native experiences, reminding audiences that our cultures are vibrant, evolving, and very much present today.”
Event details
WHAT: Courage in Motion with Eric Michael Hernandez
Featuring the 2026 Emmy Award–winning film short film Courage, live Native American hoop dance and fancy dance, and conversation with Eric Michael Hernandez, with special guest Ba’ac Garcia
WHEN: Thursday, November 5, 2026
Doors open at 6 PM
Performance begins at 7 PM
WHERE: Fox Tucson Theatre
17 W. Congress St.
Tucson, AZ 85701
TICKETS: $35–$58, all-in pricing
RUNTIME: Approximately 120 minutes
Media opportunities
Members of the media are invited to cover Courage in Motion with opportunities to interview Eric Michael Hernandez and capture photo and video of his live hoop dance performance.
Hernandez is available to speak about the personal experiences behind Courage; the film’s recent Emmy recognition; his journey from learning hoop dance from his uncle, 10-time world champion Terry Goedel, to performing internationally with Cirque du Soleil; and his work sharing contemporary Native American stories through film, performance, and speaking.
Additional interview opportunities are available with Western National Parks representatives about the free student matinee, WNP’s 72 partner parks, and the organization’s work to expand access to educational and cultural experiences.
Media interested in attending, arranging interviews, or requesting approved photos, film stills, video, or other press materials should contact:
Julie Thompson
Western National Parks
julie.thompson@wnp.org
About Eric Michael Hernandez
Eric Michael Hernandez is a world-renowned Native American hoop dancer, 2026 Emmy Award–winning film filmmaker, speaker, and proud member of the Lumbee Tribe. Mentored by his uncle Terry Goedel, a 10-time world hoop dance champion, Hernandez has performed for more than 20 years, including as a lead artist in Cirque du Soleil’s “Totem.” He is the writer and director of the Emmy Award–winning film short film Courage inspired by his own experiences with family, hoop dance, culture, identity, and belonging. Through performance, filmmaking, speaking and digital storytelling, Hernandez works to challenge stereotypes and share contemporary Native American stories and ancestral knowledge.
About Western National Parks
Western National Parks (WNP) helps make the national park experience possible for everyone. As a nonprofit education and philanthropic partner of the National Park Service, WNP supports 72 partner parks across 12 Western states, developing products, services, programs and funding that enhance visitor experience, understanding and appreciation of national parks. Since 1938, WNP has provided more than $176 million in support to parks, connecting generations of visitors with the natural, cultural, and historical places protected by the National Park Service.
