Hello! I'm Isabel Plana Hafeman, and if there's one thing I've known for as long as I can remember, it's that I was meant to perform.

I was born and raised in Southern California to a Mexican mother and a Cuban father, in a family where creativity wasn't just encouraged—it was a way of life. Both of my parents were professional actors, so from an early age, I was surrounded by music, storytelling, theater, and the magic of live performance.

At just six years old, I made my film debut in The Princess and the Barrio Boy, directed by my father, acclaimed actor Tony Plana. I also performed on Nickelodeon's The Brothers García and spent countless hours singing in church choirs and musical theater productions. Those experiences shaped not only my love for performing, but also the person I would become.

When my family moved to New York City before I started high school, my dream became even bigger. I was honored to be accepted into both the Professional Performing Arts School (PPAS) and the Pre-Professional Program at Steps on Broadway—two experiences that challenged me, inspired me, and strengthened my commitment to pursuing the performing arts professionally.

After graduating, I attended the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music Theatre, signed with professional representation, and began performing in productions throughout the Broadway and theater community. Along the way, I had the privilege of appearing in productions including Temple of the Souls, Matilda, and Gloria and Emilio Estefan's On Your Feet!

As rewarding as performing was, I discovered something that fulfilled me even more—teaching.

I realized that the greatest gift I could share wasn't just what I had learned on stage, but how I could help others discover their own confidence, creativity, and unique artistic voice.

For more than ten years, I've had the privilege of teaching children and adults at incredible organizations such as Steps on Broadway, Rosie O'Donnell's Theater Kids, and Backstage Studio of Dance. Every student who walks into my classroom brings a different story, a different personality, and unlimited potential. Helping them grow has become one of the greatest joys of my life.

My goal has never been simply to train performers.

I want to help build confident, resilient, compassionate human beings who aren't afraid to express themselves, take creative risks, and believe in what they're capable of accomplishing. Whether a student dreams of performing professionally or simply wants to discover a new passion, I believe every lesson should be filled with encouragement, discipline, laughter, and heart.

Isabel brings more than a decade of professional performance and teaching experience to Plana Performing Arts. Her career spans Broadway, Off-Broadway, film, television, new theatrical works, and regional productions, giving her students the benefit of real-world industry knowledge alongside thoughtful, personalized instruction.

Broadway & Professional Performance

Radio City Music Hall — NBC Upfronts
Performer

Off-Broadway & New Works

Temple of the Souls — New York Musical Festival
Ensemble / Ramona

The Last Adam
Ensemble / Dance Captain

Kerrigan and Lowdermilk’s The Bad Years
Hot Julie

Readings

Anne of Green Gables — Roundabout Theatre Company

Film & Television

The Princess and the Barrio Boy
Young Serena

The Brothers García — Nickelodeon

Selected Theatre Credits

In the Heights — Beck Center for the Arts
Daniela

A Chorus Line
Diana Morales

All Shook Up
Ensemble / Dance Captain

Carrie: The Musical — Beck Center for the Arts
Ensemble

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel
Ensemble

Follies
Hattie

Education

Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music
Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre

Professional Training

Voice
Marc Weagraff

Acting
Victoria Bussert
Scott Plate

Dance
Gregory Daniels
Sara Whale
Heidi Glynias
Debbie Roshe
Jeff Shade

Isabel has extensive training in ballet, jazz, modern, tap, and hip-hop, with more than a decade of study across multiple dance disciplines.

Additional Training

Isabel has participated in professional master classes with leading casting directors, performers, directors, choreographers, and industry professionals, including Liz Callaway, Dan Knechtges, Merri Sugarman, Michael Cassara, Justin Huff, Bob Cline, Pat McCorkle, and many others.

Teaching Experience

Rosie's Theater Kids
Backstage Studio of Dance
Shuffles NYC
School at Steps on Broadway
Gifted Performing Arts Program

Directing and Choreography Credits

Oliver Jr. - Director - Ovation Academy
Spongebob Youth Edition - Choreographer - Ovation Academy

Special Skills

Fluent in Spanish
Musical theatre performance
Vocal performance
Dance captain experience
Ballet, jazz, modern, tap, and hip-hop