Jean Carlo Yunén Aróstegui is a Dominican director and generative artist with Spanish and Lebanese roots. He started his artistic journey at fifteen with a dual photo exhibit in Santo Domingo's Casa de Teatro. Being the middle child, no one really remembers where he held his first camera, but a recently discovered photo confirmed he had one in his hand wen he was 8 years old. At age 6 however, he wanted to be a farmer, and his academic achievements combined with people's expectations led him to believe he was meant to pursue a career in biology, making nature and the environment play a big role in his work. They’re attracted to stories where humanity and ideology are forced to clash, utilizing humor as a disarming tool for healing and deep exploration of human truths. They’re interested in telling culturally specific stories for global audiences.
He’s worked with REMAP @ UCLA exploring new technologies in storytelling such as AR and VR, with whom he’s co-directed a total of 4 productions, most notably, A Most Favored Nation in collaboration with Epic Games and Amazon Studios. He co-directed La Victima at the LATC, directed The Displaced for Amigos del Rep @ San Diego Rep, and has assistant/associate directed in regional theaters such as OSF, Cincinnati Playhouse, Denver Center for the Performing Arts & Williamstown Theater Festival. He’s a Drama League Directing Assistantship recipient, a Williamstown Boris Sagal Fellow, an inaugural artist in residence for the XR2C2 in Cannes, France and an SDC observership recipient, assigned to the 2023 Sweeney Todd Broadway revival.
They were a commissioned playwright for the NewAmerican Theater Festival for his play IS SEX. He served as Associate Producer for the Latino Theater Company at the LATC from 2020-2022, and is a Producing Artistic Associate for the In The Margin, a QTBIPOC multi-disciplinary artist coalition focused on diverse storytelling and activism as well as the Queer Theatre Alliance Coordinator.
They’re the recipient of multiple photography awards in the Dominican Republic, most recently, he presented his first solo exhibit titled “Conversaciones Íntimas” in the Centro de la Imagen in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo in 2022. He holds an MFA in theater directing from UCLA and a BA in Film, Television and Theater from the University of Notre Dame.
Reach out with with any comments or concerns regarding custom prints, collaborations, commissions and other inquiries.. or just to say hello! Would love to hear from you!
2019
2017
2016
2016
2012, 2014, 2016
2013
2012, 2015, 2016
"Premio Jóven de la Imagen" [Young Image Award] -
Second place
Finalist
Indiana Collegiate Press Association
Best News Photo - 1st Place
Best News Photo - 2nd Place
Photographer's Forum Magazine - Spring Contest
Finalist
Photographer's Forum Magazine - High School and College
Honorable Mention
Finalist
2018
July 2013
November 2012
December 2010
La Otra Mirada (colectiva)
Casa de Teatro, Santo Domingo, DR
Unidos por el Corazón (Joined by the Heart)
Dominico-Americano, Santiago, DR
Luz y Esperanza (Light and Hope)
Casa de Teatro, Santo Domingo, DR
Dominico-Americano, Santiago, DR
1ra Exposición Padre e Hijo (1st Exhibit Father and Son)
Casa de Teatro, Santo Domingo, DR