Sara Ryung Clement

Sara Ryung Clement, acclaimed set and costume designer, educator, artist, partner, daughter, sister, and friend, passed away on June 13th, 2026 after a battle with cancer. 

Born on February 11, 1977 in Seoul, South Korea, Sara was the daughter of Bette and the late Jim Clement of Hastings. From an early age she demonstrated an interest and innate talent in the arts.

Throughout a distinguished career spanning more than two decades, Sara brought extraordinary imagination, intellect, and humanity to the stage as both a set and costume designer. She created dynamic theatrical worlds and designed sophisticated costuming with an immense level of rigor in service of the deepest level of storytelling. Her work appeared in productions across the United States, including Off-Broadway and at many of the nation's leading regional theaters, including the Guthrie. Sara created costume design for the world premieres of Lucas Hnath’s A Doll’s House Part 2 and Lauren Yee’s Cambodian Rock Band (South Coast Repertory); and set design for Larissa FastHorse’s Fake It Until You Make It (Center Theatre Group/Arena Stage 2025). Her unique style and professionalism provided her with the opportunity to work with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Boston Lyric Opera, Guthrie Theater, Portland Center Stage, Alley Theatre, Denver Center, Geffen Playhouse, Two River, Asolo Repertory, Folger Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, Dallas Theatre Center, Seattle Repertory, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Alabama Shakespeare Festival and others.

Teaching and mentorship were central to Sara's legacy. She was a faculty member of the University of Minnesota's Theatre Arts & Dance Department since 2024.  While her time there was brief, she left a lasting impression on colleagues and her students - one colleague noted that Sara developed relationships with her students that were composed equally of respect, support, and honesty. Sara previously served on the faculties of UCLA and Loyola Marymount University, and she was a lecturer at the University of California, Irvine. Generations of students benefited from her generosity, curiosity, and belief that design could help people become more attentive observers of the world around them. She inspired emerging artists not only through her expertise, but through her encouragement, integrity, and example.

Sara was passionate about life, which was evident by both the way she lived and the intentional world that she sculpted for herself and those that she loved. She was an avid runner and marathoner – she ran thirty marathons including: Boston, LA, New York, Twin Cities, Chicago, and several others; her personal best time was 3:26:42. When Sara decided she was going to do something, she did it with excellence. In less than a decade, she transformed herself from a college student that was able to roast a butternut squash into a culinary artisan that was creating elaborate, multi-cuisine meals. When Sara wanted to learn something new, she put her whole being into it. She mastered indoor gardening so completely that "botanist" could have been added to her resume. And as an adult, she learned how to drive a manual transmission in an afternoon - and never bought an automatic car again.

Those closest to Sara knew that her greatest gifts extended far beyond the theater. More than anything else, she was an amazing human and friend. Sara was quick to send a card filled with her beautiful script (she studied calligraphy) for big and small occasions. She expressed her deep love of those she cared about most through THE most thoughtful gifts and acts of service: knitting attire for friends’ new babies; making tablescapes and flowers for her best friend’s wedding; running (or in some cases mainly walking) marathons and half marathons by the side of friends who were far less capable runners than she. If Sara chose you for a friend, you had a friend indeed; she always had a listening ear, good advice, and a well planted comment that left you feeling whatever you needed in the moment whether that was feeling justified or simply entertained. It was impossible to talk to Sara and not feel better.

Sara earned an A.B. in English Literature and Drama from Princeton University and an M.F.A. in Design from the Yale School of Drama. Her lifelong love of literature, visual art, and performance informed every aspect of her work and teaching.

Those who knew Sara remember her as a thoughtful collaborator, a gifted artist, a devoted teacher, and a kind and honest individual who was generous with her time. Her creative vision enriched countless productions, and her influence will continue to be felt through the artists she mentored, the colleagues she inspired, and the audiences whose lives were touched by her work.

Sara's legacy lives on in the communities she built, the stories she helped tell, and the many people who were fortunate enough to know and work with her.

Sara is survived by her long-time partner Greg Watanabe; mother Bette Clement; brother Matt (Celina) Clement and her nephews Rhys and Xander; cousins Liz (Bryan) Dyer and Andy Makoid; her aunt Sharron Johnson; her lifelong, closest friend Alleda Mack; and a wide circle of friends, extended family, colleagues, students, and collaborators whose lives were enriched by her presence. 

It was important to Sara that her part of the world knew that she was here. Through all that she achieved, the brilliant human she was, and the love she gave, it is impossible to overlook the mark she left on this world. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.