Having worked in television, movies, as well as the Broadway stage, this versatile actress, Saundra Santiago, was last seen on stage at The Cherry Lane Theatre in Manipulation as Dona Beatrice and Lincoln Center's production of the musical, Bernarda opposite Phylicia Rashad, as “Angustias.”
Her first love, the stage, Santiago made her Broadway debut in Arthur Miller's 1st Tony award nominated revival of A View from the Bridge as "Catherine" opposite Tony LoBianco. She has continued to move in and out of theatre and TV, last seen in CBS's "Person of Interest" and the short lived series "The Unusuals." She had a recurring role in the 1st season of FX's "Damages" starring Glenn Close. She played the recurring role of "Carlotta Vega" on ABC's "One Life to Live." Her most memorable TV role, was that of "Dt. Gina Calabrese" on the cult NBC show, "Miami Vice" for five seasons. She also portrayed twins, "Jeannie Cusamano" and "Joan" on David Chase's critically acclaimed HBO series, "The Sopranos". In between TV gigs, such as "Law and Order," she's done several small films, including Spike Lee's, "25th Hour" and even some shorts, such as "Bruja" filmed entirely in Panama in a remote Indian village. She's most happy working with her longtime mentor, Broadway director & choreographer, Graciela Daniele, who has utilized her musical talents in the Tony nominated musical Chronicle of a Death Foretold, Lincoln Center's musical production of Hello Again and the musical production of Smile. She even toured throughout the states playing "Eva" in the musical Evita. She has played opposite the likes of the great Sidney Poitier, the lovely Elizabeth Montgomery, the ever so talented, Antonio Banderas in the Tony award winning revival of Nine on Broadway, to the sublime Kevin Bacon, Off-Broadway.
On Daytime, Santiago created the role of "Carmen Santos" on CBS's longest running soap opera, “Guiding Light.” For her role, Santiago was the 2002 recipient of an Alma Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama and nominated several times. She's a member of the famed Actor's Studio in New York City. Santiago holds a BFA from the University of Miami and an MFA from Southern Methodist University. She was born in the Bronx. On occasion she performs her cabaret show at such NYC nightclubs as Dannys Skylight Rm. and the Metropolitan.
