We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Miguel Pérez Cuesta a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Miguel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

In 2017, I was asked to collaborate on writing a musical for a very important Mexican toy brand, Distroller. I had known the brand through my sisters but was not familiar with the real meaning behind all their products. They are all really fun, but also speak to the kids about inclusivity and empowerment. When I was writing the book for the musical with my friend Andrea, we decided that that’s what the story should be about. We knew bullying was a relevant topic for children; it always is. But instead of just saying ‘stop bullying because it is wrong,’ we wanted to convey the message, ‘no matter what anybody says about you, you are awesome, and you were not born to fit in.’ Actually, that is the title of one of our main songs, ‘No naciste para encajar’ (You weren’t born to fit in). The journey to get the musical on stage was difficult, but we had an amazing team where everyone was aware of the importance of our message. We had a seven-month run, and beyond the recognition of the industry or the paychecks (both really important), what was more meaningful to me was the reaction of the kids. We had fans who went to see the play many times, and they would even dress up as the characters. I remember one girl who came up to us and thanked us because watching the show, she realized that she was like Tarta, our main character, and that she didn’t have to change anything about herself to be liked. Another girl was really excited about seeing a character on stage who had to use an inhaler, just like her.
This experience cemented in me the importance of our role as artists and creatives in this world. Representation matters. Fun matters. The message matters. I absolutely believe in the power of what we do, and, as a very wise uncle once said, ‘with great power comes great responsibility.’

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

The first memory I have of me on a stage is being Cri-Cri, a Mexican cartoon cricket, for a school festival celebrating grandparents. I remember my grandmother made the costume for the show and even now she smiles when she sees the pictures. I know that it was then when something clicked within me and one way or another, I start to create my path towards working in the theater. I was very lucky to grow up in a very tight community where there were lots of kids my age. We would get together and put on plays for our parents. I loved to perform in those, but I was also always the writer, the producer, and the director, without even knowing that those roles existed in the real world. The one scene I will never forget is the opening for one play we performed on my porch, where I had my sister Mariana and another friend playing angels. They sat on chairs and were looking over my car toys, as if looking over the world from heaven. I was always very proud of writing and directing that scene.

Then, when I was in 9th grade, I got a part in my school’s musical, and it changed my life. I told my parents that I wanted to quit school and become an actor, but they wouldn’t allow me. So, I kept on doing school musicals and after high school I got the opportunity to study dance in New York. That’s when I realized that a career as a performer was not for me, but I remembered all those other “theater jobs” that I used to enjoy as a kid and I understood that there was a place for me backstage, and I have loved everything I’ve done ever since.

In college I taught some dance classes in my university and every semester we would have a showcase. I was very interested in how the lighting was going to look for my pieces and that’s how I fell in love with lighting design, which is my main focus right now. I love how light is all around us and most of the time we don’t even notice it. It has a subconscious quality that makes it a powerful tool to play with our emotions without us thinking about it.

In theater light can transform a space in seconds, make the audience look at a certain point on the stage at the exact moment or add to the emotional ambiance of an actor’s performance. I love to play with it and add to the collaborative work of the director, the actors, the other designers and everyone involved in the theater making process. Light is usually the last element that the team sees come into action, but somehow it makes everything come together.

In my design process I first turn to the text, finding clues about light in the dialogue or the stage directions. Some are obvious, like if the scene takes place during the day or at night. But other can be hidden in the mood of the scene. Next, I find very rewarding to talk to the director and see what they are imagining for every scene. After that I talk to the other designers to understand the space that the scenic designer has created and to know what the costumes would look like for each scene. Another import part of the process is to attend some rehearsals. I prefer to go to as many as they would let me and take lots of notes of the performers positions and the atmosphere being created for each scene.

My favorite part is when we get to the theater, and I get to work with the actual equipment in the actual space. If you’ve done all the prep work correctly you can allow yourself enough space and time to play around with the lights, experiment and create. That is what I love the most about lighting design, that it combines the technical aspects with creativity and art.

They say that when no one talks about the lighting design it means that it was done correctly. It means that nothing went wrong and that the design only elevated what was already there. Our work can be silent, but for me that is what makes it more powerful.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Mentors. They are one the most important parts of my support system as an artist. When I was starting up, I thought I had to prove myself somehow and didn’t asl for help. During college and my master’s degree I had amazing teacher and felt I had to make them proud with my work, without relying on them. But in one lighting design project in particular I was having lots of trouble and decided to reach out to a more senior designer who I admire, and he was very generous with his time and his advice. I couldn’t had completed that project without him.

Now I know that I am not alone in this process. I’m very lucky to be part of a community that takes care of one another an in whom I can trust. If I ever need help or am stuck, I can reach out to old professors or other designers in my field and know that I can count on them.

Also, part of that support system are the light technicians. During my first projects I was intimidated by them, but now I know they are there to collaborate with me and help we realize my vision. They are very wise and know the spaces and equipment better than I do and are generally happy to share that with me.

In the end, learning that I am part of a team that has my back has made my work better. Never be afraid to ask for help.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

There is a phrase that says something like: “Everyone will tell artists how difficult it is to make a living making art, but no one tells them how difficult it is to live without making art”. Growing up, my parents always told me that I had to study something useful first and that then I could to whatever I wanted. I know that they had the best intentions and that they were only trying to look out for me, I began taking ballet classes without them knowing, because at that time dancing was what made me the happiest. Little by little they started to comprehend what it meant for me and that I actually could have a future in the arts. They began to encourage me and now my father is my biggest fan. (My mother passed away some years ago, but she became fully supportive as well.)

I am aware that it is a privilege to make a living as an artist. I have to juggle many jobs and I’m always looking for the next project. But every career path is difficult. I know many people in “traditional” corporate jobs who also have a hard time making a living or growing professionally. At the end of the day, if it is going to be difficult, I rather it be while I’m doing something I love and that makes me happy.

The thing about us artist is that we don’t do this for fun. It is an actual need that comes from inside and compels you to create. I know I was put on this planet to do this. I have no doubt about it. And so I have to do everything I can to be an artist.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @mikol_92