La Negra Arencibia, a spirit-filled actress

Anabel Arencibia, aka La Negra Arencibia in her social networks, is a young and popular actress who has quickly won the affection and acceptance of the Cuban audience.

She, since childhood, dreamed of being part of the art world. Thus, her present life is a dream, rather than a challenge.

“I was not that kind of girls who dreamed of being a teacher or a nurse. I always loved dancing and I was certain all I wanted to do was art. But I knew nothing about acting.”

In her words, after her failed attempt to enroll in the National School of Dance, she decided to try her luck in the National School of Theater.

“I received some mentorship thinking that I would have the opportunity to enter that school faster, but it wasn't like that, and since it was difficult for me to continue, also due to economic problems, my mother decided to take me out of these and go look for someone who would prepare me directly,” she said.

She highlights that when they found out that the tests were in a month they did not know where to start.

“They asked for elasticity, flexibility, a poem, a song… many things that at that time seemed impossible. However, I put a lot of effort and managed to present myself, thanks to the support of my family.”

“I remember that when I first saw Corina Mestre, my soul teacher, and other actors that I used to watch on television, I went into an emotional shock and even stronger, when I found out that I had passed.

“That day I called like three times with different voices to see if it was true because I didn’t believe it. That’s how I matriculated in the school and had the best four years of my life.”

Her first role came when she was in the third year of college and she was involved in the play Ricardo III, under the direction of Jazz Martínez Gamboa.

“That was the opportunity to do professional theater and share with 21 women of the stature of Verónica Lyn and other prestigious Cuban actresses.”

Commenting on her television characters, she said that the soap opera Calendario marked a before and after in her existence.

“I feel that I entered this world on the right foot and Calendario has been a turning point in my career, giving me access to new opportunities.

“At first, I was afraid to compete with other recognized and more experienced actors, but Magda trusted me and gave me a character.

“I initially auditioned for Sofía but ended up playing Inés, a role that allowed me to split myself and get to know another part of myself.

“I am a very active and extroverted person and I had to leave my comfort zone to be able to play Inés, who was evolving as seasons progress forcing me to control my emotions to be on par with an actress like Natasha Díaz, my grandmother in this story.”

Thanks to her excellent role, this young actress was also recruited for the program TV program Una Calle Mil Caminos, where a cast as popular as Calendario is still active.

At 24 years old, Anabel feels that she can take on the world, as they say in popular slang, and she is taking advantage of every opportunity as if it were the last.

“I love what I do and I would never like to stop working, because it is always good to learn and as a beginner, I would like to absorb all possible knowledge, to be able to play any character or proposal, coming from good art.

“At the moment, I am immersed in international projects in Russia and Spain, something very important to me, but always keeping in mind Cuba, which is where I was born and had my first options. I do not plan to forget my roots, on the contrary, I intend to travel but without leaving my country. I will do everything I can do here in Cuba.”

Anabel officially belongs to Jazz Vilá Projects, a professional theatre company, where she had the opportunity to take on the role of Sara in the most recent season of the play Farándula, which was presented at the 23 y 12 Movie Theater in Havana.

“I am the first black actress to play Sara in this play and I am grateful for the opportunity to adapt it to my personality. My Sara wears a turban, is related to the Yoruba religion and these attacks or outbursts in a charismatic way, which identify my Sara, the Afro-Cuban Sara that Jazz Vilá gave me.”

As a lover and defender of the black race, natural beauty and Afro culture, Anabel has become a reference for many people and uses her social networks to promote these messages and opinions in an educated way, but always firm in her criteria.

“The idea of ​​being active on social media came from Calendario, from episode one, I started gaining followers and receiving calls to do promotion and other work, which made me take social media as another way of working, something like an online office or a letter of introduction.

“I took advantage of this and started giving tips on how to be proud of being black, how to treat afro hair and keep it natural, as well as how to wear turbans and, in the process, put many people in their place, who still have a misconception about skin color.”

Anabel Arencibia is usually sociable, passionate and dedicated, which is why she enjoys sharing with people.

“I love talking and relating to people, because they make us grow and put us in the place we are today.”

Happy, natural, versatile, friendly and family-oriented, could also describe this girl who has no preference for anything; however, she defines herself with one word: energy.

“I am a very dedicated person both with my family and with my friends and I hate that they are not reciprocal with me, because I give everything. I like music, joy, and when you don't see me cheerful, you have to worry, because I come from positive energy, from being very optimistic and always trying to stay on top even when everything is bad."

La Negra Arencibia took advantage of this interview not only so that the public gets to know her a little better, but also to thank everyone who has trusted her and supported her throughout her artistic career, mainly those who, like her family, never miss a premiere and follow each of her footsteps.

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz / CubaSí Translation Staff