Yuko Ariga
Sammamish,WA
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven professional with extensive experience in hospitality, operations, production, and artistic administration. Skilled in project and theatrical production management, payroll processing, HR onboarding, financial analysis and management, including budgeting, forecasting, and reconciliation. Proven ability to coordinate complex events, streamline operations, and deliver projects on time and within budget. Recognized for strong communication, problem-solving, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced environments. Expanded scope of responsibilities post-restructuring to cover duties across two roles, ensuring continuity, efficiency, and successful project delivery.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Producing Associate
Seattle Rep
Seattle, WA
07.2024 - 05.2026
- Coordinated communication between production teams, finance, HR, Devo, MarComm, FOH, box office and artistic staff for seamless operations.
- Managed complex calendars for rehearsal and performance spaces, approving space usage requests throughout the building.
- Supported production teams by coordinating meetings for designers and department heads to facilitate smooth show execution.
- Attended technical rehearsals and production meetings, documenting and distributing actionable notes.
- Participated in union negotiation sessions, preparing detailed meeting minutes and providing insights to stakeholders.
- Carried forward responsibilities from the production finance associate role, maintaining continuity in budgeting, forecasting, and payroll processes.
- Collaborated with the artistic associate/casting director as the New Works (new play development) production manager, overseeing workshops from concept to execution.
- Managed a large-scale performance component of a $650k fundraising event.
- Supervised and mentored the production management apprentice, offering guidance on production processes.
- Acted as the primary point of contact for musicians, collaborating with production dept head to support music operations.
- Coordinated rehearsal and performance schedules, ensuring compliance with AFM union agreements and production standards. Processed union musician payments and executed payroll in accordance with union agreements.
- Developed skills in navigating interpersonal dynamics and resolving conflicts effectively.
Production Finance Associate
Seattle Rep
Seattle, WA
09.2020 - 07.2024
- HR onboarding and process payroll for actors, musicians, (union & non-union) as well as Production union employees (Costumes- build & run, Crews, Shops, Scenery & etc)
- In close communication with the Director of Production, Accountant Manager, Vendors, Artistic, HR, Payroll, and Production Employees.
- Process payments for artists, directors, and designers' fees, as well as the union pension, health, dues, and their reimbursements according to the union CBA/agreements.
- Process Commission, Co-Pro Fee, and Royalty agreement/payments.
- Analyze & mitigate forecasting and budgeting.
- Review and approve invoices as well as monitor the expense codes.
- Close and re-align the final show production cost by providing adjusting JE.
- Key point of contact for resolution of vendor billing concerns in tandem with the accounts payable team
- Key point of contact for resolution of union contracts, payments, and fringe benefits concerns
- Manage the credit card monthly reconciliations for the Production Department Heads
- Enter data into cost control to track both credit and cash purchases in Production Department
- Rental/event coordination - Determine client's needs, quotes, and prepare approved rental agreement. In addition rental invoice & prepare end of the year rental revenue report.
- Serve as a bridge between the finance and the production department.
- Other ad hoc finance researches – i.e. co-pro expense reconciliation, cost analysis on performances, & many others.
- Production Coordinator January 2019 to April 2020 (Covid Layoff)
Production Coordinator
Seattle Rep
Seattle, WA
01.2019 - 08.2020
- Coordinated logistics for rehearsals, ensuring all necessary materials and personnel were available.
- Scheduled meetings among production teams to enhance communication and streamline project timelines.
- Managed documentation for performance schedules, maintaining clarity across departments and stakeholders.
Co. Mgmt/Production Intern–DISNEY's "LION KING"
STG
Seattle, WA
02.2014 - 06.2014
- Learn about auditing and reconciling the box office sales report with other reports from the software programs ProVenue and Archtics Ticketing System.
- Company Management/Production Intern- "ONCE", In partnership with BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA and ONCE ON TOUR, LLC
- Company Management/Production Intern – “THE LION KING”, Disney On Broadway
Production and Administration Intern / Production Volunteer
Seattle Opera
Seattle, WA
10.2013 - 03.2014
- Performed data entry and maintained accurate records in Tessitura, supporting box office and patron data management.
- Observed technical rehearsals and prepared meeting and rehearsal rooms to support production readiness and smooth execution.
- Created daily operational schedules for City of Seattle programming, coordinating logistics to ensure efficient day-to-day execution.
- Coordinated supervision and logistics for child performers, ensuring safety, and compliance.
Programming Department: Theatrical Presentation / Production Intern-Mostly Mozart Festival
Lincoln Center For The Performing Arts Inc.
New York City, NY
06.2013 - 09.2013
- Work closely with a Director and an Associate Producer of Contemporary Programming Department.
- Participate in all aspects of performance production: travel and rehearsal logistics using ArtsVision software; scheduling; artist hospitality; exposure with designers, musical instrument tuners and technical staff; and monitoring load in, tech set up (light & audio setup, focus and check), rehearsals, performances and load-out.
- Create, execute and coordinate a special event for the opening cast party for “Le Nozze di Figaro” opera production at Time Warner Center in Columbus Circle, NYC for over 100 attendees.
- Coordinate the use of rehearsal facilities, security clearance for the staff and artists, arrange the stage setup.
- Create, process and coordinate service contracts, invoices/accounts payable coding sheet and purchase orders.
- Financial Analysis: Track the total production expense and create a final budget with an actual cost versus the preliminary budget that was created in beginning of the season.
Artistic Planning Intern / Operations Department Intern
Seattle Symphony
Seattle, WA
09.2012 - 06.2013
- Work closely with Production Manager of the Operations Department, and Assistant Artistic Administrator.
- Work in OPAS (Orchestra Planning and Administration System) to enter data, create artist itinerary (score reading, rehearsals and travel logistics, scheduling, artist hospitality and other special arrangements.)
- Work with Artistic Administrator for the hiring of “Beyond the Score” personnel, which includes booking the artists, negotiations and the artists contracting.
- Create, proofread, and edit the Program Page from gathering relevant materials (program notes, artists’ biographical materials, song texts, song duration, song movements, etc.) as a communication tool for internal departments.
- Create ESO (Event Service Order – generated a week prior to the concert), CIE (Concert Information Email - generated on the day of the concert) and backstage guest list.
- Other special projects involving research, database organization, public speaking, press release and translation.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Accounting / Minor in Computer Science
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WAMaster of Fine Arts - Arts Management / Leadership
Seattle University
Seattle, WA01-2015
Skills
- Event coordination
- Calendar management
- Preparing reports
- Record and file management
- Multiple priorities management
- Management support
- Cross-functional teamwork
- MS office
- New hire training
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Complex Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Training and coaching
- Employee scheduling
- Staff supervision
- Project management
- Project planning
- Budget administration
- Data review
- Budget coordination
- Budget development
- Budget analysis
- Budget allocation
- Interpreted multiple contracts' language and coordinated with internal teams and external partners to ensure accurate execution and compliance with agreed terms
Accomplishments
- Spearheaded operational coordination of the inaugural $650K one-night fundraising concert at Seattle Repertory Theater, ensuring seamless execution and a successful outcome; the event’s success led management to consider establishing it as an annual fundraising initiative.
- Received a Gold Award recognition from Managing Director of Delta Air Lines In-Flight Service for exemplary performance, standing out among a department of 30,000+ flight attendants.
- Selected as a Brand Ambassador for Delta Air Lines, representing the company at high-profile marketing and PR events in collaboration with organizations such as the James Beard Foundation, Food Network, ESPN and others.
Certification
- University of Washington: Project Management Certificate - (Expected Dec 2026)
- University of Washington: Budget and Finance Nonprofits Certificate - (Expected Dec 2026)
- QuickBooks Certificate
- TEFL Teacher Certificate BRIDGE-LIGUATEC (Accredited by University of Cambridge)
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Limited Working
Japanese
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Producing Associate
Seattle Rep
07.2024 - 05.2026
Production Finance Associate
Seattle Rep
09.2020 - 07.2024
Production Coordinator
Seattle Rep
01.2019 - 08.2020
Co. Mgmt/Production Intern–DISNEY's "LION KING"
STG
02.2014 - 06.2014
Production and Administration Intern / Production Volunteer
Seattle Opera
10.2013 - 03.2014
Programming Department: Theatrical Presentation / Production Intern-Mostly Mozart Festival
Lincoln Center For The Performing Arts Inc.
06.2013 - 09.2013
Artistic Planning Intern / Operations Department Intern
Seattle Symphony
09.2012 - 06.2013
Master of Fine Arts - Arts Management / Leadership
Seattle University
Bachelor of Science - Accounting / Minor in Computer Science
Central Washington University
OTHER COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACCOMPLISHMENT
Launched and led a successful GoFundMe fundraiser, exceeding initial goals by raising $12,000 in three days and $21,000 within one week to support two neighbors displaced by a Labor Day house fire.