We recently connected with Cheyenne Puga and have shared our conversation below.

Cheyenne, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I’ve worked on many projects that have meant a lot to me, and I currently have what is probably the most meaningful one in the works. However, the first project I truly connected with on a deep level was a film called Heroin Still Kills. I played the lead role of Heather, a ballerina who falls into heroin addiction after taking pain pills for an injury. The film’s purpose is to educate communities—particularly youth—about the dangers of pills, drugs, and addiction, and to show how it can happen to anyone. Addiction has claimed the lives of many friends I grew up with and deeply impacted the lives of my loved ones. The opportunity to take on this role was cathartic, educational, and an experience that was profoundly meaningful to me. It proved how powerful art can be and affirmed that I made the right decision in pursuing, what many consider, a daunting career path.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Television captured my interest at a young age because it was more accessible to me than film at the time. I remember watching a behind-the-scenes episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air when I was about four or five and thinking it was fascinating—I knew right then that’s what I wanted to do. At eleven, I started a “production company” with my best friend Nakita. Though my parents were resistant, I was relentless in my pursuit of acting, producing, and directing. I landed my first agent at 15, studied film and business in college while also attending acting classes multiple times a week, and went straight to auditioning and submitting to new agents right after graduation.

In 2021, I moved to Huntsville, Alabama, where I met a wonderful group of actors and suggested we make a short film. This led to the creation of HAG Productions, which I co-founded with Jimmie Waites. We quickly brought on Emily Eliette, and since then, we’ve been producing films, series, a podcast, and other forms of content. Our feature film debut is slated to shoot in Spring 2025. It may sound simple summarized like that, but every success I’ve had can be traced back to a literal lifetime of work.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots I’ve had to make in life was when I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and severe adult-onset asthma in my mid-20s. I don’t think anyone expects to lose their clean bill of health at that age. Not only was I dealing with severe symptoms, but both of these illnesses are also very difficult to diagnose. For years, I had to fight to get any answers or relief—and I still do to this day. I could no longer do the things I loved, like running or tumbling—activities I had been doing my entire life that brought me so much joy. All of this was happening while I was trying to build my career. It was absolutely exhausting, and I felt so misunderstood. Most of the time, my illnesses were invisible to the world, but I was suffering. That was a major pivot, but I am so happy I pushed through. I still struggle, but I’m so grateful for my amazing doctors and the supportive people in my life who keep me going.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is when someone is moved by my work or feels seen. Whether it’s an actor relating to a story I told on The Hags Podcast or someone sharing how they relate to a character I’ve played, it makes all the hard work worth it. I truly believe art changes people’s lives. I also love when the actors I coach book a job, get a callback, or even just have a breakthrough in their work. It’s so exciting to see their dedication to the craft pay off.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cheyennepuga.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CheyPuga
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HAGProductionsCo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheyennepuga/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hagproductionscompany

Image Credits

HAG Productions, Arsenal Productions, We Are Filmmakers