During HGO’s 2026-27 season, Pablo Santiago makes his company debut as the lighting designer for Aida. Santiago is an acclaimed lighting designer whose work seamlessly bridges live performance and digital film, transforming stages into immersive and emotionally resonant environments. At LA Opera, Santiago has designed lighting for standout productions including Omar, Highway One, The Dwarf, Madame Butterfly, The Anonymous Lover, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning opera p r i s m; he was also the revival designer for Pelléas and Mélisande. Originally from Chiapas, Mexico, Santiago moved to the United States and earned a degree in film from the University of San Diego. Following a 15-year career in major motion pictures, he discovered his true passion for theatrical lighting design and returned to academia, completing his MFA in Lighting Design at UCLA. Pablo’s designs are driven by the creation of evocative visual moments that connect deeply with a production’s emotional core, inviting audiences to journey beyond the stage through imagery that sparks the imagination. His extensive portfolio includes work for renowned venues and organizations such as LA Opera, The Kennedy Center, Teatro Municipal São Paulo, Santa Fe Opera, San Francisco Opera, Opera Philadelphia, Boston Lyric Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera, Opera Omaha, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Goodman Theatre, BAM-Harvey Theater, Denver Center, Geffen Playhouse, and the Hollywood Bowl. He has also collaborated with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, showcasing his versatility across genres and scales. Dedicated to storytelling through light, Pablo continues to push the boundaries of the craft, illuminating narratives that captivate and inspire audiences around the world.