Millenials, in recent years, have been tasked for the presumbable "end" of multiple industries: cereal, soda, restaurant chains, golf, and fabric softeners to name a few. This #TalentedTuesday we are proud to show you that, infact, Millenials are nowhere near killing the Theatre industry by introducing you to Xavier Custodio, founder and Artistic Director of Visión Latino Theatre Company.

Visión Latino Theatre Company, founded in August 2014, had its first production in September 2015. The organization was founded with the mission to bring awareness to Latinos past, present, and future through storytelling and celebration. Since its founding, Visión Latino has had 3 full productions and various cabarets. Besides directing for his company, Xavier has also directed the following productions for other companies: Fame , In The Heights , Yellow Eyes , and Parachute Man (Assistant Director). Xavier also has an acting background with various titles under his belt, having rained with Randy Buescher (Your True Voice Studio) and Janet Louer (Acting).

When Xavier isn't working hard for Visión Latino, he's working hard as the Fine and Performing Arts Department Chair and Band/Choir Director at South Shore International College Prep. He recieved his Bachelor of Music Education from VanderCook College of Music and a Master of Arts in School Leadership from Concordia University of Chicago. Xavier is now inspiring Generation Z to follow his vision of hard work, dedication, drive, and ingenuity. For all of he has done to date, and for the career he has ahead, we are proud to highlight, Xavier Custodio.
GETTING TO KNOW XAVIER CUSTODIO!
What is your hometown?
Chicago 

What brought you into Chicago Theatre?
My parents had me involved in everything from singing, dancing, acting, and playing music.What brought me into the Chicago Theatre Scene was when I was brave enough to audition in 4th grade to do musical called  The Me Nobody Knows . 

Why did you start your own theatre company?
I was working on a project about 6 years ago with people from the community and I saw a hunger for our stories to be told on stage. We as a latinx community do not get the opportunity to experience theatre from a level where we can relate to it. Where we can laugh, cry, dance, sing, and after the show is done talk about it like it was our actual memory. I helped start Visión Latino because we have so many important stories that could no longer be silent and want to be heard. 

How do you choose your projects?
Does the project speak to me, can we as a company do it justice? As a company we do not pick stories that are popular at the moment, but stories that tells the latino struggle and perseverance. 

Where would you like to see the Theatre industry in 5 years?
I would love to see more people of color in the director chair making decisions. Our perspective is different, because our experiences are. 

What advice would you give to folks starting their own Theatre company?
Find the purpose of the company, and do not be afraid to ask for help.