Eugenio Saenz Flores is a second year student at the School of Drama, studying Technical Design and Production. That means he's almost half of the way through his four year degree! His path to the theatre is not as straightforward as one might think for someone who so obviously loves what he does so much. Eugenio is from Mexico, “born and bred.” He went to Canada for college and started off on track to get a theatre and business degree, but pretty soon into that program and without taking a single business class, he realized that that life just wasn't for him. So he left!
He then started a new program at the National Theatre School of Canada, which runs similarly to a conservatory. After graduation, Eugenio came to America and interned on Broadway. Upon finishing down there, Eugenio started working as a technical director and production manager at multiple regional theatres and Opera in Canada. “Stage and lights,” Eugenio exclaimed, “that's what we're trained to do.” During our mini-tour of the University Theatre, it was evident that Eugenio knows what he's doing. In case you've never been backstage, I just want to note that stage mechanics are very very complicated.
Eugenio chose Theatre because he loves the nature of theatre work. It is all about the relationships, about feelings, and about putting on a play that gives people a chance to escape, even just for a moment. But when he isn't packing up stage props at 12am, Eugenio has other hobbies and loves. For one, he is on a mission to find the best Mexican food around New Haven. Right now, his vote is for Tlaxcala, which has the best Torta de Milanesa. He also enjoys going to Yale Athletics (@yaleathletics) events, and just generally walking around New Haven - his go-to place is Grove Street Cemetery, though you might also find him up East Rock.
After Yale, Eugenio wants to go big. Maybe America, maybe Mexico, maybe Canada. Always theatre. His parting words are a testament to his attitude: “advice for people in theatre? Don't have a plan B.”
Eugenio Saenz Flores '24, 2nd year School of Drama student, from Mexico (and also Canada)
#humansofOISS #Yale
