We recently connected with Isaiah Santiago and have shared our conversation below.

Isaiah , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Growing up in the Spanish pentecostal church at a young age I was always exposed to music, it was not until my parents joined an evangelical church (that follows most of the same practices of the pentecostal church, without all the strict “rules”) that I was able to join and perform in services, theatrical plays, and worship. I enjoyed performing whether it was acting, or pantomimes, dancing, etc. My love for music started in the church as well, I was exposed to multiple genres and styles of music, and it wasn’t until I was in charge of choosing music for prayer nights that I realized I wanted to become a DJ. I loved the power I had when mixing music, the control of the crowd and how music moves people to feel.

Isaiah , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Isaiah Santiago, I am 33 years old, I was born and raised in The Bronx, NY. I am Married and have two children. I attended Bronx Theater High school where I worked as a Technical Director for the Roundabout theater companies student production workshop. I later graduated with my BBA from The College of Westchester and worked in various non profit organizations in a Director/Management capacity. It was not until my family and I moved from NY to Naugatuck CT, that I began working for Shakesperience Productions in Downtown Waterbury, CT and continued my passion for theater that led me to become a board member of the Arts and Culture Collaborative where I met Rafael Feliciano, founder of the Afro Carribean culture Center who asked me to become the Artistic Director for Palante Theater Company. Palante Theater is Connecticuts first and only Afro-Latine Black Box Theater Company, and a proud program of the Afro Caribbean Cultural Center Inc.

Pa’lante Theater unapologetically presents opportunities to create, produce and perform representations of the arts. Pa’lante through the arts seeks to provide visibility for various marginalized communities (i.e., Afro-Caribbean, Black, Latine, LGTQIA+ and Youth).

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

In my christian faith, growing up pentecostal meant having strict rules and a lot of these I had to “unlearn” because they were harmful not only to myself but to the general moral Jesus was trying to teach everyone which is to love one another. now growing up in NYC in the 90’s meant that I grew up in a very diverse city with many languages spoken, many cultures mixed so hate was not something I had in my heart, however I was still sheltered in a sense because when I arrived in high school to see someone openly gay was taboo for me, but I accepted it quickly because it was not something that I saw as a reason for me not to love others. I devout everything I do to God, because let’s face it, if it weren’t for him, none of this would be possible, and id probably be on a very darker path. But loving everyone is what I strive to do and include in my work, I may not like certain things or agree with certain ideologies, but this is not my place to push that onto others, rather be a safe space for others to come and express themselves, learn of our culture, of what separated us in the first place.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I devout everything I do to God, because let’s face it, if it weren’t for him, none of this would be possible, and id probably be on a very darker path. But loving everyone is what I strive to do and include in my work, I may not like certain things or agree with certain ideologies, but this is not my place to push that onto others, rather be a safe space for others to come and express themselves, learn of our culture, of what separated us in the first place.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://palantetheater.org
• Instagram: Palante theater company
• Facebook: Palante theater company

Image Credits

Victor Delgado – PHYLMIC