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Yua Watanabe

@yuawatanabe

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designing things!

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I graduated this past week summa cum laude with a B.A. in Theater from @ucla_tft . Despite how easy being a theater major sounds (I know), it was truly filled with countless hours overnight in the studio, a strong commitment to art, and immense amounts of growth, where I found that I can gain just as much as I put into my endeavors.

I am filled with mixed emotions as I leave my time here. I can’t say I feel satisfied about the way things unfolded, but if our four years as the covid 2024 class taught us anything, it is that life is always in flux and things never turn out the way we expect them to. It matters more how you react to change and what you make out of difficult circumstances.

Thank you to the people who have helped me get to where I am, for opening doors and giving me countless opportunities, and most importantly, allowing me to realize that theater gives me a voice that is worth something in this crazy world. taken in UCLA MacGowan Hall by @yuawatanabe

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2 years ago

Big announcement to everyone I love! 💌 This quarter, I accomplished my greatest artistic achievement to date: my capstone, scenic designing for I Swear To God! A new original play written by @deejhills about the difficult relationship between queerness and christianity 🏳️‍🌈

I am so grateful to have been given the trust to be this year’s undergraduate scenic designer to design a departmental production at UCLA TFT. It truly made my past four years of artistry finally come to life while opening my eyes to a future in scenic design that I never imagined was an option. Thank you to everyone who has supported me relentlessly and has shown me love and care throughout this process. I would be nothing without the artists who have inspired me to become who I am now!

Playwright: @deejhills
Director: @slyonsprojects
Stage Manager: @m.j._graff

Scenic Design: by me!
Scenic Assistants: @gabestoptalking @sarakaylx
Lighting Design: @sydneysmit.h
Costume Design: @ruthiereichmandesigns
Sound Design: @prestonrequiresassistance

Photographed by @kwebber_photo & @makelaphotos

Scenic Advisor: @elisherlockdesign
Set constructed and realized by Mike, Juan, Ernie, and Kenneth in the @ucla_theater wood shop, thank you! 🛠️ taken in UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television by @yuawatanabe

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3 years ago

A little late, but my @fastatucla era is officially over! *tears* 🫶🏻 Thank you for the past 4 years of filling my ucla life with a loving, creative, & fashionable community✨

Last month, I had the enjoyment of walking in two lines designed and constructed by students Soli & Mahi, along with supporting the talented graphic design director @irenechungus into realizing my fifth and final FAST Magazine (truly the best one yet) 🥳 Sending my love to @qu1nnt1ssent1al & @arashdewan for their endless model director work; such a special year witnessing how much of art is created by community.

Photographed by:
@nthnschen
@jj_hammy_
@ang1na9
@alexiasaigh by @yuawatanabe

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2 years ago

& friends appreciation post 👩‍🎓🫶🏻 taken in UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television by @yuawatanabe

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2 years ago

This past month was AAPI Heritage Month, and I thought I would showcase something I took part in that is really important to me✨ I had the opportunity to be a part of an @weareuprisers project which highlighted Suehiro, a 53 year-old family-owned restaurant and community gem known and loved by Nikkei folks around LA for generations 🍱 Suehiro is one of many treasured small businesses that have been tragically displaced from DTLA’s Little Tokyo. The area is currently listed as one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.

How do we continue to keep these personal memories and community histories alive? 🥢 @mkhanabusa ‘s work makes us think about cultural preservation and sustainability within the sphere of fashion overconsumption. The works of art I had the honor of wearing were made out of repurposed aprons, noren, and recycled fabrics from the original restaurant.

🎐Suehiro’s Little Tokyo legacy still lives on in a different location in Downtown LA on 400 S Main Street (you all should go check it out)! I truly feel so lucky to have been surrounded by a group of thoughtful creatives & see this work unfold ❤️

📸 photographed by @justfeng & styled by @ninjaswearblk

#suehirocafe #dtla #weareuprisers #golittletokyo taken in Suehiro Cafe Little Tokyo by @yuawatanabe

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2 years ago

@catluo27 came to visit me last week in LA (before flood warnings and power outages). It was nice to reminisce together about our summer in New York 🏙️

Exciting to think about how big your circle of friends become as you get older (yet, in a way it feels smaller and more independent)!
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Life updates: my first scenic design is coming up the end of this month! I have approximately 5 months till graduation! & I am taking my time thinking through post grad plans! taken in Los Angeles, California by @yuawatanabe

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3 years ago

🍹Girl Summer: I finished my internship at the MET as an exhibition design intern!
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This was truly a special experience, learning the ins and outs of the museum and creating a mental map of the galleries. I now feel like it’s my second home 😌 I made friends with the most wholesome people (love my intern cohort), worked with world renowned pieces of art work, and learned from the best mentors ever✨ I am so sad to say goodbye - thank you @metmuseum and the design department family for having me! 🥹❤️ taken in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York by @yuawatanabe

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3 years ago

Here’s my Junior year in a nutshell! 🥜🫶🏻
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16 productions: an amalgamation of films, plays, operas, lmu shoots, and even a full-scale runway show.
1st time: learning tap dance, taking an acting class, stage managing a main stage show, production designing anything, and starting apartment life with the roomies!

Too many graphics, piling up Costco gas receipts and parking tickets,, but theater school is still overfilling with love, laughter, and ambitious dreams.
Last month, I left Spring quarter 2 weeks early to get a head start on working this summer in New York! 1 more year of college to go✨🥳 taken in UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television by @yuawatanabe

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3 years ago

I met Sandra Oh today and spent $13 on this acai bowl taken in The Butcher's Daughter by @yuawatanabe

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4 years ago

Week 10 Updates: @thejulianasimone & I purely running on coffee, chocolate, and self motivation🪴✨ ucla friends, WE’RE ALMOST DONE YOU GOT THIS <33 taken in UCLA by @yuawatanabe

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5 years ago