Joanna Hausmann is a renowned Venezuelan comedian and one of the most prominent voices in the animation industry. As head writer and co-producer of the Disney series "Hamster & Gretel," Joanna has earned a place among creative talents in the United States.
Her sharp perspective on different Latin communities has made us laugh for years.
In an interview with ENSTARZ ¡Latino!, we discussed her experience, the challenges of leading a team at Disney, and how it has been to represent her Venezuelan heritage in such a competitive environment.
Joanna gained recognition on the digital platform YouTube with comedic sketches that addressed Latin culture and the differences between being Latin in the United States and in Latin America. Her content quickly catapulted her to fame and opened doors to shows like Bill Nye Saves the World. Her irreverent and fresh approach positioned her as a young and relevant voice in comedy.
Today, she is part of the creative team behind *Hamster & Gretel*, the animated Disney series created by Dan Povenmire, co-creator of Phineas and Ferb. With her experience in comedy and her cultural perspective, Hausmann has become a key element in shaping the series' narrative and building characters that young Latinos can identify with.
The challenge of leading a diverse team
"I think one of the most important things about being a leader is knowing your weaknesses," says Joanna about her role as head writer. For her, the key to being a good leader is recognizing the areas where you need help and surrounding yourself with people who complement those gaps. "I know I'm not a particularly organized person... I'm very creative, but sometimes I get scattered. So one of the first things I did was find a writer who is the opposite of me, super organized and logical."
Joanna admits initially thought her role in the series would not work out. "I was waiting for them to tell me in the first season, 'Look, I don't know why we put you in charge of this Writer's Room.'" But as they progressed with the scripts, she began to see the episodes produced by the animators and realized the great teamwork they had created. For her, the series' success is not due to just one person but to a joint effort where each member contributes their bit.
*Hamster & Gretel*: More than just a superhero series
The second season of *Hamster & Gretel* premiered on Disney Channel on September 14, 2024, and has been available on Disney+ since September 18.
This new installment takes the characters, young Gretel and her pet hamster, to face an extraterrestrial threat while balancing school, local villains, and typical teenage drama. Hausmann explains that the growth of the characters, especially Kevin, Gretel's older brother, is one of the main focuses of the new season.
"The truth is we took a lot of brainstorming time to see how our characters would change from the beginning of the season to the end," Joanna comments. "On a macro level, we see our characters change a lot. We see quite funny things on a micro level: even more absurd villains and ridiculous situations. I think it's fuller, with more jokes per minute and character changes."
Latina identity and comedy: A constant balance
Throughout the interview, Hausmann also reflected on her identity as a Latina in the United States. "That perspective of being in two worlds has helped me in my comedy. If you have the privilege of perspective, comedy is easier... seeing what strange idiosyncrasies are here and there."
For Joanna, this cultural clash is not only a source of humor but a gift that allows her to create complex and authentic characters. "I think that's necessary to have good ideas and so many diverse ideas," she says. Her experience as an immigrant and her focus on cultural nuances also helped her empathize with the characters she co-creates for the series and connect with a multicultural audience.
Joanna emphasizes that the work environment at Disney is based on openness and collaboration. "In the writer's room, we create an environment where no idea is a bad one," she explains. This allowed them to develop the series with fluid and flexible creativity. "We have written 100 scripts for this show... Not being afraid of ideas that don't work is essential."
The series, which features a diverse voice cast including Meli Povenmire as Gretel, Michael Cimino as Kevin, and Carolina Ravassa as the protagonists' mother, also incorporates guest stars like Ming-Na Wen and Alfred Molina, demonstrating Disney's commitment to making *Hamster & Gretel* an inclusive and relevant show.
*Hamster & Gretel* is a professional project for Joanna Hausmann and a platform to express her identity and humor from a Latin perspective. As she describes it, being a Latina Boss at Disney is a constant challenge, but it is also an opportunity to open doors for more diverse voices to be heard in the entertainment industry.
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