Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1545089
10 SUMMER 2026 S P O T L I G H T By Gio Kendall Tanya Apuya I t's 2022 during production of Ahsoka and we are days away from shooting. Tanya Apuya has been cutting fabric for days, and in the room next door, we're fitting New Republic Officers the moment the costumes are ready. After a mishap with our fabric order, we barely have enough to make these uniforms and every scrap of the fabric is precious. Everyone has been cast to fit when the inevitable happens: Our final actor's measurements will not work with our last available uniform. All other costume's alterations are in progress and recasting at this point would be a gamble. With the actor waiting in the room, I approach Tanya with a plea only reserved for worst-case scenarios. "Love of my life, apple of my eye, queen of my heart." "What do you want?" she says, smiling, peering over her glasses, recognizing my tune. I hand her the measurement sheet, and she thoughtfully inspects the numbers as I explain the situation. "Hmm, I don't have enough to cut a whole new jacket, but maybe enough to recut the front panels." From under her table, she fishes out a bag of remnants and a few anxious minutes later, she declares, "Yes. I can do it. We don't need to recast." By the time we're ready to shoot, the jacket has been modified and fits perfectly. Just another day in Star Wars! This is one of many stories from our time working together where I got to witness firsthand Tanya's quick thinking, skills, and her colorful trademark style. For those of you who don't know her, I'd like you to meet Tanya Apuya, a San Pedro, California native of Filipino descent. Her interest in style began in her youth, which she attributes (possibly) to being required to wear uniforms in Catholic school. "Dressing up was just fun. It was such a novelty, and it was a way to express yourself without saying anything. I was never really a hugely extroverted child. I spoke more through what I wore. I'd wear scarves in my hair and crazy earrings. Mary Janes with knee-high socks and Argyle prints." Like many fellow Costumers, Tanya "caught the theater bug" acting in high school productions, but