Davi Santos Takes Center stage in ‘California story’

Photographs, Styling & Interview by BRAD EVERETT YOUNG

Davi Santos brings a compelling energy to this vivid reimagining of an L.A. origin story

In the heart of Los Angeles, where dreams and drama converge, actor Davi Santos takes center stage in Roger Q. Mason‘s ‘California Story,’ a bold new stage production from Outside In Theatre, now running at the Caminito Theater at Los Angeles City College through June 3rd. Santos brings a compelling energy to this vivid reimagining of an L.A. origin story, weaving his own Brazilian-American roots into a narrative that reflects the city’s vibrant cultural mosaic. Known to television audiences for his roles in CBS’ ‘Good Sam,’ Kevin Williamson’s dark anthology series ‘Tell Me A Story,’ and as the time-traveling Sir Ivan on Power Rangers Dino Charge, as well as film with chilling performances in ‘Polaroid’ and the underwater thriller ‘47 Meters Down: Uncaged‘ and ‘Something Like Summer.’ With California Story, Santos returns to his theatrical roots & brings his screen-honed charisma to the stage, anchoring a narrative that explores identity, resilience, and the spirit of the city he now calls home.

Photograph By BRAD EVERETT YOUNG / Suit by Oporto Couture Dubai Oporto Couture Dubai @oportocouture / Onyx Pendant by Gasper /

You’re currently starring in ‘California Story,’ as Andres. Can you tell us a little about your character?

When the United States invaded Mexican California, Pio Pico was the governor and his brother was the General of the armed forces. In the play, Andres is the level headed voice of reason. His temper only gives when he faces injustice or an affront on his or his family’s livelihood. He’s dedicated to honor and the benefits of dedication over the shortcuts of connections, society, and appearances.

Andres is described as ‘Headstrong’ & ‘Impassioned.’

Do you possess any personality traits similar to those of Andres?

My MO is either chillaxed or fun being weird. It is true that if push ever comes to shove, or if I’m fighting for something, then another side of me comes out that I reserve for such occasions. I don’t enjoy the kick of cortisol, I don’t find it healthy for anyone, but it’s a fountain that I will be perched on when I’m fighting for something. This play traces those times in one’s life when they are in that fight, and that’s where we overlap.

Photograph by BRAD EVERETT YOUNG / Shirt by Industrie Clothing US / Jacket by Dandy Del Mar / Rings & Taegeuk Peace Necklace by LOUPON

Photograph By BRAD EVERETT YOUNG / Suit by Oporto Couture Dubai Oporto Couture Dubai @oportocouture / Sunglasses by KIAAURA eyewear / Hat by Keith James

Andres, has to sacrifice much of his self-interests to help his family. What’s something that you feel you’ve had to sacrifice for your career?

My family lives in New York City, and even if I visit often from LA, I still miss weeks if not months at a time of my little brother growing up and the dawn of my parent’s golden years.

‘California Story’ uses the past as an allegory to present a message of what we can do as a society to be progressive.

Is there one thing you think we can all do in our everyday lives to improve our quality of life, mental awareness of our surroundings & compassions for others?

Taking a breath or two that is dedicated to gratefulness is so powerful and grounding. Whether it’s for the sunshine on our face in the morning, and the sound of the birds, or where a meal came from that’s going to sustain us, or our health that is painless and strong, or the people we collaborate our time with, the plants and trees that give us our breath… it’s awakening. When we operate from that place, there is a level of mindfulness that is on a different dimension than where we were moments before. There’s some dystopian movie I saw where a character says how much they miss the sound of birds cause there weren’t any anymore. Unlocking the pleasures of those suddenly profound simplicities that we have taken for granted elevates our compassion both to ourselves and to the other forms of life to whom we are biologically and evolutionarily family-related.

Photograph by BRAD EVERETT YOUNG / Shirt by Industrie Clothing US / Taegeuk Peace Necklace by LOUPON

Photograph By BRAD EVERETT YOUNG / Suit by Oporto Couture Dubai Oporto Couture Dubai @oportocouture / Onyx Pendant by Gasper / Popcorn by Eatable

How do you think the themes of ‘California Story’ resonates with audiences today?

To be able to expunge ourselves from the self sabotaging growing island of plastic pollution that is decomposing into our ocean, our rain, our air, and being absorbed into our bodies, into our brains, to be rid of it, and enter a new chapter of the health of our species, to be free of it. Freedom itself is at the heart of the play: from colonial powers that structure relationships in society that in turn too seep into our psychological framework through which we perceive the appearance of reality and operate our lives and self regard, to be free of the illusions that hold us back, that sabotage the deepest goals of our lives, to have strength against it to be ourselves and live our best lives, “best” being defined by the life that is truest to ourselves, to our dispositions, to our dreams without the sacrifice of our neighbors and their autonomy, and their freedom. The play is a cautionary tale. It’s to ignite an awareness of choice. What happens falls or rises based on the decision we make from that watershed.

You were born in Rio, raised in New York City & currently reside in Los Angeles, CA.

What’s something each of these locations has in common that attributed to who you are?

The authenticity and depth of New York. The goal of greatness comes from toiling with that which you find is the vocation that brings you joy. And joy comes from unlocking the depths, whether it be of the vocation itself, or exploring it, the fringes of the city, the rooftops, the waters’ edge, the secret basements. Success is not just measured by commercial profitability, in fact sometimes that’s concurrent with the depravity of culture, instead New York teaches you that success is measured by the integrity of vision, that small rooms can contain the most extraordinary ideas, and when those extraordinary ideas can merge with the mainstream then the mainstream evolves. That’s where it all started, and it was always about the community of the people along the way. Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, each place presented a different community that stand for a different contribution to my identity and my goals in life. I would live in any of them for months at a time with so much joy. People ask which do you prefer? Which is better? And I mean it when I say that one of the sweetest privileges is having a life that allows for a consistent leap between each of them, to have none of them all the time, and all of them all the time.

Photograph by BRAD EVERETT YOUNG / Shirt by Industrie Clothing US / Jacket by Dandy Del Mar / Ring & Taegeuk Peace Necklace by LOUPON

Photograph by BRAD EVERETT YOUNG / Shirt by Industrie Clothing US / Rings by LOUPON

You attended The Professional Performing Arts School at 11 and then continued to LaGuardia Performing Arts High School.

How did your beginning training at such a young age help evolve you into the actor you are today?

The young brain is a sponge. At 11 I learned by going to school with kids that were on Broadway and starring in major films that I was late to the game. Even if it’s never too late, it taught me that dreams are for sleep, because it isn’t until those dreams are an intentional goal that they can become reality, and that there was no reason to wait when it could already be happening right now if I could just figure it all out. I was surrounded by such a high caliber of art, and success, and devotion. The bar for the integrity of my work was set very high as well as I was capable of doing with it because of the emerging artists with whom I immersed.

You’ve worked on amazing network series like ‘Good Sam,’ ‘Tell Me A Story,’ ‘Power Rangers’ as well as many films like ’47 Meters Down : Uncaged,’ ‘Polaroid,’ and ‘Something Like Summer’

How do you prepare your mind set going from film & tv, to stage performance?

It’s not about the medium so much as it is about the story. I love any opportunity to be submerged into its world. That’s a big part of believing in the world which makes telling the story, when you’re in the story, so much more inspired and specific, it creates a point of view. That preparation is consistent whether you’re either in a studio, or on location, or before an audience, or even underwater.

Photograph By BRAD EVERETT YOUNG / Suit by Oporto Couture Dubai Oporto Couture Dubai @oportocouture / Onyx Pendant by Gasper / Sunglasses by KIAURA eyewear

Photograph by BRAD EVERETT YOUNG @Bradley206 / Suit by Oporto Couture Dubai Oporto Couture Dubai @oportocouture / Hat by Keith James / Ruby Ring by Gasper

Do you have any theater superstitions?

Not explicitly, but I do find that certain preparations, physical routines, exercises before a performance make a big difference in the mindset on stage, so I do feel rather naked, more naked in fact than if I have to be naked, when for whatever reason, those preparations are skipped.

What keeps you up at night?

Gratefully I have a fantastic ability in falling asleep quickly. My neighbor will every once and a while call out to her cat at midnight, but that usually doesn’t last long.

If you could attribute your success to a single quality of yours, what would that be?

My curiosity. It is a source of motivation, of energy, of courage, of excavation, of confronting the unknown with humor and genuine interest, it is a conduit to inspiration, novelty, and joy.