Nova Scotia Community·CBC East Coast: all in

Santiago Guzmán on silencing his inner critic and letting his star shine

Award-winning theatre artist and filmmaker Santiago Guzmán talks about his differences as his strengths, and storytelling cultures in his original home in Mexico and his new home in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Man smiling with long, dark curly hair pulled half back, wearing light gray t-shirt and black pants.
Santiago Guzmán shares his perspective in the CBC East Coast all in newsletter. (James MacLean)

Award-winning theatre artist and filmmaker Santiago Guzmán, from Metepec, Mexico, now based in St. John's, Ktaqmkuk and Labrador, was invited to share their perspective in the CBC East Coast all in newsletter. This new, monthly CBC newsletter features stories and ideas that reflect all the ways we're different on the East Coast.

Santiago Guzmán is all in

I was very lucky to know at the age of eight that I wanted to perform for the rest of my life. My future seemed so clear then. Although I was certain about my love for theatre, social judgment kept me from pursuing my dream of becoming a full-time artist. 

Unsolicited opinions haunted me: "How are you going to pay your bills?" "That's not a job, it's a hobby!" "You are too smart to do theatre." 

At age eighteen, l confronted them: "I don't care what you think, I am going to theatre school. Oh, and I'm moving to Newfoundland!" 

"Where is Newfoundland?" I was asked in return, confused. I could only shrug while I packed my bags in haste, excited about the bright future ahead of me. 

Figuring it out

Moving from Metepec, Mexico, I became  — without even knowing — an intersection of a triple minority: a racialized, queer immigrant who was trying to work in a predominantly white, English-speaking, and heteronormative theatre sector. 

My future didn't seem so clear then.

I encouraged myself to take my "disadvantage" as an indication of the need to diversify my skills, not only in acting, but in playwriting, dramaturgy, directing, and producing for theatre. I slowly extended my efforts in film and television, aiming to create a path of self-sufficiency in my art practice and successfully continue working in the industry. 

I must say, though, that this effort was possible because of the place I now call home, Newfoundland and Labrador.

This province pushed me to honour and celebrate my cultural heritage — as well as my intersecting identities — only to embrace that my "differences" were in fact my strengths. That realization inspired me to create space for myself in my newly-found community and for those present who also felt like they didn't belong. 

A foundation of storytelling

I am grateful I have been nurtured in a community where writing one's story has been a tradition, not a novelty. For generations,  Newfoundlanders and Labradorians turned to storytelling to redefine, for themselves and across the land, who they really are. Similarly, in writing my own stories I found my voice, what I wanted to say, what I wanted people to see and listen to, and who I wanted to become. 

While Newfoundland and Labrador remains known for its warmth and welcoming characteristics, the people of our province are confronting their own biases that have not allowed us to fully appreciate those like me who became Newfoundlanders and Labradorians by choice.

Realizations about the existing inherited oppressive systems, such as racism, discrimination, and colonialism, that puts the benefit of some at the expense of others, have propelled some change, but there is still a ways to go. 

As a writer, I broaden the understanding of what our community looks like. It excites me to hear stories of people like me, who didn't see themselves represented in the local theatre, take up space and say, "Hey, I'm also here and this is my story!"

Get to know Santiago

Who or what inspires you and why? 
Our youth, because they are becoming the changemakers of our future.

What do you enjoy most about living on the East Coast?
The close access to nature, community, and art.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Founding and leading TODOS Productions, a theatre company that seeks to develop, produce, support, and promote the work of Black artists, Indigenous artists, artists of Colour, 2SLGBTQQIA+ artists, (im)migrants, and artists with disabilities within Newfoundland and Labrador.

What is your motto?
"El que quiere, puede" (if you want, you can).

Who are your favourite writers?
Carmen Aguirre, Donna-Michelle St. Bernard, Meghan Greeley and Yvette Nolan.

What is your most marked characteristic? 
My curls and my glasses. My sharp wit and sarcasm.

What advice would you give your future self?
Be unapologetically you.

Where can people connect with you?
@santig1 on Instagram
www.sguzman.ca website

Santiago's Picks

READ: Racist incidents happen 'over and over again,' activists say after tirade goes viral

LISTEN: The Signal with Adam Walsh - Talking about theatre in Newfoundland and asking guests: How important is theatre in this province? What has its history meant for us and where is it going?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Santiago Guzmán (he/they) is an award-winning theatre artist and filmmaker originally from Metepec, Mexico, now based in St. John’s, Ktaqmkuk and Labrador. They are the Artistic Director of TODOS Productions & the Artistic Associate for Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre. Santiago's work is self-desribed very gay, very brown, and very real. Find him at www.sguzman.ca.