Sanjay Lago is a Glasgow born and based Neurodiverse Queer Indian Actor, Writer, Theatremaker, and Facilitator. His practice is based around collaboration (bringing together various art forms), and he is also a multidisciplinary performer. Sanjay’s work with Imaginate began in June 2021 when he was on a weeklong placement with Brian Hartley and Lucas Chi-Peng Kao during a week at Canal View for an Immerse Residency. Going on, he was announced as one of the two trainee artists on the “Where We Are” Project, working alongside Lead Artist Katrine Turner in St Alberts Primary in Glasgow and Refuweegee. After this he undertook his first Lead Artist role since graduating in 2019, returning for a residency in Immerse at Canal View where his Imaginate journey began. His last residency with us was as a trainee artist alongside Lead Artist Niroshini Thambar at Oaklands School, learning about creating supportive environments for learners with profound and multiple learnning difficulties. Each residency has been a joyful and fulfilling experience for Sanjay, learning and growing each time.
Graduating from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Sanjay gained facilitating experience in hospices, prisons, and schools. He is passionate about working with children and young people because growing up he never saw South Asians within the performing arts, and he wishes to inspire future generations to see that a career in the arts is possible. Sanjay’s writing looks at the themes of sexuality, dyslexia, mental health, masculinity, belonging, and identity. He has always enjoyed working within a socially engaged practice, getting involved in different communities, and sharing the power that the arts can have in many aspects of life. He aims to bring unheard voices and stories into the forefront of his work, as he has always been involved in diversity in the arts work, bringing new faces and stories to the arts world.
During the 2020 pandemic, Sanjay was one of the final 48 writers on the Soho Theatre Writers Lab. During this time he wrote his first full length play, “Jalebi”, under the dramaturgy of Jules Haworth and was longlisted for the Tony Craze award. He has also written and worked for the Scottish BAME Writers Network. As a result, his writing was published in poetry anthologies including the book Field by Two Destination Language.
Having been in the Theatre industry for over 14 years, Sanjay has worked with a wide variety of theatre companies. He’s appeared in the ‘Hear Me Now’ Monologue book with Tamasha Theatre Company, worked in outdoor theatre with Mischief Las Bas, appeared in the National Theatre /National Theatre of Scotland’s production We’re Here Because We’re Here, and been one of the 8 Young People brought together by National Theatre of Scotland as part of the Futureproof Festival.
Sanjay last year completed his 2 year award with National Theatre of Scotland, being the John Mather Trust Rising Star of Scotland recipient, where he developed his piece “Floating Along Silently”, which he performed at TRON Outside Eyes then was commissioned to perform a new version at the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival. The piece examines male mental health and the South Asian community,He was longlisted for the David MacLennan Playwrighting Award with Play Pie and Pint, being the only POC writer in the top 30 with his play “Khab Jeetigi”, which he wrote initially for the Young Vic Five Shorts Night.
He is currently hot off his West End Debut at Soho Theatre and in full speed ahead with his Fringe Debut show “Love Me Like A Chai Tea Latte”, a show all about dating and racism and trying to find love.
And to add onto the growing list, he is currently undertaking a part time Masters in Education of Learning and Teaching in the Arts at RCS, getting closer to his goal of giving young POC generations a POC teacher. Juggling work and teaching on short courses.
When he isn’t working or writing he enjoys a big cup of tea and a book or listening to Shakira! Sanjay is thrilled to be part of the Imaginate family. He cannot wait to work alongside the many great artists in residence as he expands his craft as an artist toward theatre for young people.