Ariel Aranda-McEtchin is a Mexican-American, theater artist originally from the Bay Area. She earned her bachelor’s degrees from the University of California, Irvine, receiving a B.A. in Film and Media Studies and a B.A. in Drama. Her multidisciplinary background has been foundational to her artistic approach, blending performance art, installation, and cinema in her designs. She joined the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities M.F.A. Design and Technology program, with a focus on scenic design.

Ariel is driven by her passion for cinematic storytelling and the democratization of the performing arts. She has always delighted in the pageantry of theater and strives to imbue each of her designs with playful spectacle and bold innovation. Ariel is also deeply committed to amplifying diverse voices and bringing fresh perspectives to the stage.