Gretchen Ugalde

Hey there! My name is Gretchen Diane Ugalde, and I am a scenic designer based in Southern California. I hold a Masters degree in Scenic Design from The University of California, Irvine.

I am from Cebu City, Philippines, and the Bay Area! My whole life has been spent bouncing back and forth between both places--between homes, schools, and cultures. There was a lot of inconsistency growing up, but what remained constant was art: always something to make or study (I found particular comfort in Vincent Van Gogh, Fernando Amorsolo and Claude Monet), always new/old movies my dad introduced me to, always love in the different homes I lived in, and always new people to meet. I believe these experiences shaped my deep passion for the journeys of people and the universal power of storytelling.

I found theatre through my passion for the sacred, collaborative process of bringing stories to life for people to experience. Scenic design found me through my love of architecture, painting, sculpture, photography, space--and the relationship people have to place.

I am beyond grateful to create art, tell stories, and work with incredible people for a living. Looking ahead, I hope to continue telling stories across the country and beyond. I'm especially drawn to projects that amplify voices shaped by immigration and celebrate the diversity of American stories. Most importantly, I want to tell stories my granny will love--and thankfully, she loves every story she experiences!

When I'm not designing, I am hunting for trinkets at HomeGoods or TJ Maxx.