Today we’d like to introduce you to Luisa Buitrago.
Luisa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in the middle of a beautiful, loud, and a “Matriarcado” household in Bogotá, Colombia—four sisters, one brother, and a whole lot of love! Growing up in that “pack” gave me two things: a serious passion for living and the ability to find my voice in a crowded room.
For a while, I was living two lives. By day, I was the “responsible one,” working in an accounting firm. By night, I was chasing my soul at La Escuela de Actores de Edgardo Roman and even dabbling in social work. But one day, I just had to get real with myself. I looked in the mirror and asked, “Do you really want to be an accountant? Do you really want to be an actress?” The answer was a giant NO.
I realized I didn’t want to be the one on stage—I wanted to be the one running the stage. I wanted to be the engine that makes the art move, I wanted to get dirty!
Ten years ago, I packed my life and moved to Miami. I’ll be honest: learning a new language and navigating a new culture is a wild ride! There were challenges, for sure, but I am so incredibly grateful for the family and community I’ve built here. I had some amazing mentors who held the door open for me, I am grateful to be able to do what I love in a professional level that I never imagined. Dreams come true,
Today, and I’m living my dream! Have an amazing family, I work as a Technical Director at the Adrienne Arsht Center, which is such a huge honor. Before that I was in NYC working with the legendary Urban Bush Women and touring the states. I also run my own company, La Malicia Production***, here I am able to collaborate and create with independent artists, tech companies and filmmakers. Whether its stage managing a local play or production managing a film; from Miami to Utah, I’m there to make sure every idea becomes a reality. Call me if you need me! 🙂
I always say: without the arts, there is no heart. To all the artists out there—thank you for making the world beautiful. Thank you to all crews around the world. I’m just happy to be the one behind the scenes making sure your light shines as bright as possible!
***”In Bogotá, they call it malicia indígena—a certain cleverness, a knack for finding a way when there is none. That’s what I bring to every stage I touch.”
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The biggest mountain to climb was definitely the move from Bogotá to Miami ten years ago. Imagine being a “people person” who loves to communicate, but suddenly you’re in a new culture, navigating a new language, and trying to prove yourself from scratch. There were days when the language barrier felt like a wall between me and live…
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That struggle is exactly what taught me to listen with more than just my ears. In production (and life), things could go wrong all the time—lights flicker, schedules shift, or a set piece doesn’t fit—and my background in accounting and acting became my secret weapon. I had to learn how to be “the calm in the storm.” Always with care and love, precise but fun!
I’m so lucky because even when the road got bumpy, I had my incredible family and a community of mentors and friends who became my chosen family. Every “no” or every mistranslated word just pushed me to work harder until I found my place in the community, I keep learning every day. Thank you Aida Belen, Melissa, Maestra Jacki, Vane Tamayo, hermanas, madres, abuelita. Thank you to all my ancestors and female role models.
Thanks to google AI for helping me with this journey.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
People often ask me what I actually do, and I love telling them: I’m part of a team who takes a tiny, beautiful idea and builds the world it lives in!
I specialize in production and stage management, which is basically like being the conductor of a high-speed train while also building the tracks in front of it. Dramatic moment… As a producer my professional approach has become a daily practice, care practices in the workplace are my priority, the human over the product. Very involved in site specific work and immersive arts and technology.
I work with some incredible organizations that have shaped my professional practice.
Urban Bush Women (NYC): As their Production Manager, I learned how to handle the high energy of New York City and the logistics of a touring company. It was intense, beautiful, and taught me so much about the “heart” behind every movement.
Miami Light Project: Being a Stage Manager for Miami Light Project is like coming home to play with my friends.
Live Arts Miami: As a Producer and Stage Manager here, I really learned into my “action taker” side. Whether we were building a performance from scratch or managing a live show, I was there supporting a great team make big magic. I got to dive deep into the local scene, managing experimental theater to immersive/site specific events.
Currently, I’m a Technical Director at the Adrienne Arsht Center. I get to oversee the technical side of some of the biggest shows in the world, ensuring everything from the lighting to the safety protocols is flawless. Collaborating with great teams around the world.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
“Oh, this is an easy one! The absolute best days were when my mom would cook a massive lunch, pack it all up into a big pot (la olla), and lead our whole ‘tribe’ on a hike into the Bogotá mountains. We’d climb until we reached the very top, and right there—with the whole city beneath us—we’d sit down for a huge ‘almuerzo de olla.’ There’s nothing like the taste of a home-cooked meal in the fresh mountain air, surrounded by the people I love most. That’s where my ‘passion for living’ really started—on top of a mountain with my. mom’s. food and my sisters”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @lubuitrago09
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luisa-buitrago-08182b195/
Image Credits
1. Luisa Buitrago By Osmany Torres Photography.
1.1 Luisa in Blue. By Osmany Torres Photography.
2. Haint Blu Harlem NYC by UBW, Picture by me.
3. Caraboom by Natasha Sakos and. Live Arts Miami. Picture by me
4. Haint Blu Mass Moca by UBW. Picture by me.
5. Heritage Fest at the ZBOH stage. Picture by me.
6. Pekin Acrobats. KCH. Picture by me.
