Meet Yi Lin Zhao

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yi Lin Zhao.

Yi Lin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m a Chinese-Canadian student studying theatrical design in UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television. I spent most of my life living with my family in Beijing, China, and as almost any Chinese kid, I too had to pick up a specialty hobby that might come into use later on in life. My parents put me through trial for many things such as piano and ballet, but where I stood out the most was in drawing.

This is how I started my fine art training since the age of five all the way until before attending college; aside from regular school work, I went to art classes every week to train my fundamentals with private mentors. Although my parents supported me towards a profession of creativity, the expectation was for me to become a designer, industrial, jewelry…any kind, because a pure fine art career usually can’t support a livelihood. I want to have a proper higher education in a university as well, but for longest time I didn’t know what art-related career I will find myself in.

No one expected that I would discover my love for theater when I was about 12 years old through musicals (it’s kind of embarrassing, but the first musical I watched was Cats), also because of my training in music, I became extremely fascinated by this form of art, and I somehow just knew it’s what I’m going to do in the future. My passion for theater is what brought me to LA: upon the time to choose a major for university, I was certain that I want to study set design for theater, and I’m so fortunate to got into UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television, one of the best theater program in the States.

In the last four years, I have mastered more skillsets than I ever would if I were to remain a fine artist. Not only set design, I also picked up costume design and production design for film and television and had experience working in puppetry and stop-motion animation. I’m going to graduate this June, and my next step is to further my training to become a scenographer.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Nothing is ever easy, isn’t it? The decade-long fine art training I went through was rather harsh, so many of my classmates didn’t make it through or didn’t get to remain in professions related to art. But I made it out, and it was the years of intense training that provided me the useful skills and made me where and who I am today.

Choosing to study theatrical design was certainly a challenge and a putting myself out of my comfort zone, but it was the best decision I have made for myself. Unlike most of my peers, I had no prior experience in theater before coming here, and I needed to learn everything from the very beginning. At one point in time during my undergraduate application, the plan B was to study illustration instead if I didn’t end up getting into a theater program, but that won’t be as fun will it.

Coming to LA is also my first time leaving home and family to live on my own, it was hard for everyone especially for my grandparents, so I try to call and visit them as much as I can. During my stay here, I also got to know a lot of amazing people and I made great friends that I believe can last a lifetime. With my graduation coming up soon, I’ll try to settle down and open a new chapter in my life.

What were you like growing up?
I was extremely shy and quite growing up. I was being looked after by my grandparents when I was a kid, so I spent most of my time staying at home reading and drawing. Even at a young age, I was rather patient and calm so I could sit still through hours of painting. This explains why everyone thought me becoming a fine artist and not interacting much with others would suit me the best, but this is the exact aspect I always want to change about myself. Working in theater helps me become more outgoing and confident, and I like who I am becoming.

Besides making art, interest wise, since the cousins on my father’s side are all boys and older than me, I was and am still pretty into video games.

Contact Info:

• Website: yilinzhao.artstation.com
• Phone: 7026261805
• Email: yilinzhaodesign@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yi_lin_zhao_/
• Other: https://vimeo.com/yilinzhao

Image Credit:
Insta: @madebyweiike and @ruolin.guo

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