Meet Jesse Santos | Lighting Designer & Electrician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jesse Santos and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jesse, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success has been not giving up when I fail. Something I feel that wasn’t ever touched on in my training was dealing with failure and rejection. Learning from my mistakes and failures has allowed me to progress quickly and improve my work. Failure has become my greatest teacher.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Honestly what sets me apart from the rest of the artists in my field is education. I didn’t have the opportunity to go to a prestige art university to improve my skills, rather I had to teach myself most of the things I know. I am most proud of my award for Best Lighting (2019) at the Valley Theatre Awards for my work on Theory of Relativity with the FPAC. I have gotten to where I am professionally by taking any and all jobs that I can possibly do. I try to expose myself to as much art as I can. The more things I do the better I get. It has not been easy getting here, There have been so much blood, sweat, and tears. The way I got through the challenges was just to keep pushing forward. Even if I failed the first time, I got up and tried the next idea. Sometimes it doesn’t work out though and in those instances, it is best to simply learn from the failure and apply it to the next problem. The most important lesson I have learned is: Take care of yourself, physically, mentally, and emotionally. This is a very demanding field and not taking care of yourself is an easy way to prevent yourself from working. Simple enough as switching the snacks for healthy snacks! Another thing I have learned is take every job and see it as a learning opportunity. This has helped me when the jobs weren’t so nice. One thing I want the world to know about me is that as first generation BIPOC, the arts weren’t as accessible to me growing up but theatre has really changed my life and has definitely showed me that I can be anything I want to be.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my bestfriend didn’t live in the same area, I would take them to see a show (theatre, concert, dance etc), perhaps a stroll to the speakeasy bars hidden in Hollywood, there is a small charbroiled burger restaurant in Sunland Tujunga area called Charbroiled Burgers that would definitely be on the itinerary, a drive up Big Tujunga Canyon to catch a great view, a trip to some of the cool shopping areas and of course a trip the beach! The most fun and exciting places are the ones away from the most travelled road. I like finding those hidden spots that require a little work. I really like learning new things so really any place or thing I haven’t seen before.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shout out the Foothill Performing Arts Council (FPAC) for all their continued support for these last 7 years. Tim Borquez, the head of the FPAC, has given me countless opportunities and experiences that have been absolutely crucial to my growth as an artist. Another mentor who deserves a shoutout is Mr. John Ong from the Arts Theatre, Entertainment School (ArTES) Magnet. He is the head of the tech department and has not only inspired me to be a better artist but also a better person.

Last but certainly not least, I would not be where I am without the never-ending support of my mom, my sisters and my friends.

Instagram: Santos_lighting

Facebook: Jesse Santos Lighting