Daily Inspiration: Meet Ali Roustaei

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ali Roustaei.

Hi Ali, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey started when I chose to attend a drama school instead of a traditional high school in Iran, where I spent two years focused on acting and directing. That experience really built my foundation in storytelling and performance art.
After that, I moved to the U.S. to continue my education, initially planning to pursue directing. While studying at Los Angeles Pierce College, I was introduced to the technical side of theatre, and I found myself really drawn to it. Scenic design, in particular, stood out to me because it felt closely connected to directing, while also incorporating drawing, painting, and model-making, things I had been passionate about since I was a kid. That’s when I realized I had found my path.
I went on to transfer to UC Irvine, where I earned a BA in Drama and a BA in Film and Media Studies, and later continued my education at San Diego State University, completing my MFA in Design and Technology with a focus in scenic design.
Today, I work as a freelance scenic and production designer, where I combine storytelling with visual design, and each project pushes me to think in new creative ways.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. In the beginning, one of the biggest challenges was adapting to a new culture and language, and at the same time adjusting to a completely different theatre culture and community. During school, I was also balancing classes with outside projects, which could be challenging, but it taught me a lot about managing my time and staying disciplined. And even now, working as a freelancer comes with its own challenges. The workflow can be inconsistent, there are very busy periods and slower ones, so I’ve had to learn how to manage that, both professionally and financially.
But overall, those experiences have made me more adaptable, resilient, and intentional in how I approach my work and career.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a scenic and production designer, working across theatre and film, and a big part of my process is research driven. From the first time I read a script, I start building a research foundation, looking into the playwright, the context of the piece, when it was written, and the world it lives in. And if the director shifts the time period, then I dive into the adopted era. That research can include history, architecture, and also the visual art of the time. I try to really absorb all of that, and then filter it through my own creative perspective to develop the final design. For me, even if a design isn’t strictly realistic, it still needs to feel authentic,and I think that comes from having a strong, thoughtful research process behind it. I’d say what sets me apart is that balance between research and creativity. I’m not just designing something that looks good, I’m building something that’s grounded in a deeper understanding of the story and its world.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think the biggest risk I took was moving to the U.S. on my own at a young age and trying to find my way in a completely new environment, especially within the art world. There were definitely challenges and moments of uncertainty, but I’m really glad I made that decision. Going through those experiences gave me a perspective I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I think it’s added a deeper layer to how I see the world and how I approach my work. Being exposed to different cultures has expanded my artistic point of view, and that’s something I bring into my designs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aliroustaei.com
• Instagram: Ali_roustaei

Image Credits
The Marriage of Figaro
California state university, Northridge , campus theatre
Director: Maurice Godin
MUSICAL DIRECTION: Mercedes Juan
Scenic Designers: Ali Roustaei
Costume Designer: Amanda Cleveland
Lighting Designer: W. Alejandro Melendez
Photo Credit: Brandon T. King

Rent
San Diego state university, main stage
Director: Courtney Corey-Armstrong
MUSICAL DIRECTION: Robert Meffe
Scenic Designers: Ali Roustaei
Costume Designer: Heather K. Nunn
Lighting Designer: Nayeli Bailey
Sound Designer: Paul Peterson
Photo Credit: Ken Jacques and Ali Roustaei

Love’s Labor’s Lost, Fall 2022​​​​​​​
SDSU Mainstage Theatre
Director: Dani Bedau
Scenic Designers: Ali Roustaei & Atria Pirouzmand
Costume Designer: Katherine Paulsen
Lighting Designer: Joshua Heming
Photo Credit: Rafael Santos

Into the Woods, Spring 2022​​​​​​​
UCI Claire Trevor Theatre
Director: Don Hill
Scenic Designers: Ali Roustaei & Atria Pirouzmand
Costume Designer: Sebastian Rock
Lighting Designer: Jacqueline Malenke
Sound Designer: JJ Margolis
Photo Credit: Paul Kennedy

LUCKY ME, Spring 2023​​​​​​​
SDSU PREBYS THEATER
Director: RANDY REINHOLZ
Scenic Designers: Ali Roustaei
Costume Designer: ANASTASIIA SENNIKOVA
Lighting Designer: HANNAH MULLINS
Sound Designer: PAUL PETERSON
Photo Credit: Ken Jacques AND ALI ROUSTAEI