Paul Tazewell
Qween Jean Makes History With Tony Awards Win: ‘We Are Taking Up Space in Ways We Have To’ (Jun 7, 2026)
Photos: 2026 Tony Awards- Stars Walk the Red Carpet (Jun 7, 2026)
DEATH BECOMES HER Tickets to Go on Sale for Playhouse Square Engagement (Jun 4, 2026)
BIO
Costume designer Paul Tazewell's recent achievements include winning an Academy Award for Best Costume Design for his work on Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu and featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. This accolade was accompanied by a BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design, a Critics Choice Award, the Costume Designers Guild's Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film award, NAACP Image Award and the Innovator Award from the African American Film Critics Association, underscoring his critical role in bringing the fantastical world of Oz to life. Additional accolades include an Academy Award nomination for West Side Story in 2021, an Emmy for "The Wiz! Live," and recognitions for his contributions to Harriet, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert."
On Broadway, his costumes in Death Becomes Her currently on Broadway and the 2024 production of Suffs demonstrate his ongoing influence, earning him a Drama Desk Award in 2024 and a Tony Award nomination. His revolutionary designs for Hamilton won him a Tony Award in 2016, further establishing his reputation in theatrical costume design.
Throughout his career, Tazewell has earned multiple Lucille Lortel Awards, Helen Hayes Awards, and additional accolades from the Costume Designers Guild. His dedication is also evident in his collaborations with The Metropolitan Opera, The Bolshoi Ballet, and The English National Opera.
Educated at New York University and the North Carolina School of the Arts, Tazewell has shared his expertise as a guest artist at these institutions and served on the faculty at Carnegie Mellon University from 2003 to 2006.
Photos
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Productions
Awards and Nominations
winner
Paul Tazewell, Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Paul Tazewell, August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Paul Tazewell, Death Becomes Her
Paul Tazewell, Death Becomes Her
winner
Paul Tazewell, Death Becomes Her
winner
Paul Tazewell, Suffs
Paul Tazewell, Suffs
Paul Tazewell, MJ The Musical
Paul Tazewell, Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations
Paul Tazewell , Hamilton
winner
Paul Tazewell, Hamilton
winner
Paul Tazewell, Hamilton
Paul Tazewell, Hamilton
winner
Paul TazewellSide Show
Paul TazewellMemphis The Musical
winner
Paul Tazewell, Hamilton
Paul Tazewell, A Streetcar Named Desire
Paul Tazewell, Memphis
Paul TazewellCarnival!
Paul Tazewell, In The Heights
Paul Tazewell, The Color Purple
winner
Paul TazewellCamelot
Paul Tazewell, Caroline, or Change
Paul Tazewell, Boston Marriage
Paul TazewellThe Women
winner
Paul TazewellPeer Gynt
winner
Paul Tazewell, On the Town
Paul TazewellBlithe Spirit
Paul TazewellThe Matchmaker
Paul Tazewell , Bring in 'da Noise/Bring in 'da Funk
Paul TazewellThe Revenger's Comedies
Paul TazewellThe Odyssey
winner
Paul TazewellThe African Company Presents "Richard III"
Paul TazewellThe Way of the World
Paul TazewellThe Caucasian Chalk Circle
Videos
Video: Debbie Allen Previews Broadway's JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-25 13:04:46
Video: HAMILTON Cast Sings 'My Shot' For 'Hamilten' Music Video
by Michael Major - 2025-11-24 11:06:42
Video: Lin-Manuel Miranda & Phillipa Soo Recreate Viral HAMILTON Trend
by Joshua Wright - 2025-09-04 10:37:38
Video: Thayne Jasperson Reflects on 10 Years of HAMILTON on GOOD MORNING AMERICA
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-08-11 15:12:08
Video: HAMILTON Celebrates 10 Years on Broadway With Mega-Mix Curtain Call
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-08-06 23:55:26
Video: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jimmy Fallon, & The Roots Perform a 'Classroom Instruments' HAMILTON Medley
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-08-06 10:39:38
Video: Paul Tazewell, Jim Parsons, & More Appearing in RECLAIM THE FLAG Film
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-07-01 12:04:11
Videos: Watch Celia Keenan-Bolger, Paul Tazewell & More Accept Their Tony Awards
by Michael Major - 2025-06-13 13:30:02
Video: Paul Tazewell Talks Tony Win for Best Costume Design of a Musical
by Joey Mervis - 2025-06-08 21:41:29
Video: 'Broadway Musical Change A Letter' Category Featured on JEOPARDY! MASTERS
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-06-05 14:07:08
Video: Paul Tazewell Takes Over a Costume Design Category on JEOPARDY! MASTERS
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-06-05 11:56:14
Video: Michelle Williams Talks Extravagant DEATH BECOMES HER Costume
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-03-14 14:17:12
Videos: Paul Tazewell, Nathan Crowley, & Lee Sandales Accept BAFTAs for WICKED Movie
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-02-18 14:19:00
Video: Watch Phillipa Soo's First HAMILTON Audition For 'Hamilten' Celebration
by Michael Major - 2025-01-07 11:59:42
Video: HAMILTON Wishes Happy Anniversary to Alexander and Eliza Hamilton
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-12-14 14:46:10
Video: Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard & More in DEATH BECOMES HER
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2024-11-20 10:46:23
Video: Inside the HAMILTON Orchestra Pit at The Buell Theatre
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-10-26 12:59:25
News
by Michael Gioia - Jun 7, 2026
The trailblazing artist took home the Tony Award for Best Costume Design of a Musical.Qween Jean, who won the 2026 Tony Award for Best Costume Design of a Musical for her work on Cats: The Jellicle Ball, has become the first openly trans person to win in her category.
by Bruce Glikas - Jun 7, 2026
The stars are aligning at Rockefeller Center! That's where the best of Broadway comes together today to walk the red carpet ahead of the 79th Annual Tony Awards- the biggest celebration in the American theatre. BroadwayWorld of course will be on hand at Radio City Music Hall all night to keep you up to speed on what's going on onstage, backstage, and behind the scenes!
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 4, 2026
Tickets for the Tony Award-winning musical comedy DEATH BECOMES HER go on sale for its three-week engagement at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, where the national tour will launch.
by Michael Major - Jun 4, 2026
Watch a video of Charl Brown performing 'What Becomes of the Brokenhearted?' from Ain't Too Proud at Ogunquit Playhouse. Otis Williams (Charl Brown) memorializes his brothers in arms.
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2026
Something's coming! The best of Broadway will take the stage Sunday night at Radio City Music Hall for the 79th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by P!nk. Need a refresher on how to watch and when? We've got you covered!
by Stephi Wild - Jun 2, 2026
Final tickets will be released to purchase this week for Leslie Odom, Jr.’s sold-out run in the London production of HAMILTON at the Victoria Palace. Learn more here!
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 1, 2026
This June, Broadway fans can beat the heat with a slew of new movies, shows, and music, including the movie musical Power Ballad, the disaster comedy Stop! That! Train!, and a new Hamilton documentary is coming to Disney+.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 21, 2026
Black Theatre United will present its fourth annual Gala. This year will honor Paramount Chair of TV Media George Cheeks, Academy Award-nominated actor Delroy Lindo, and Tony and Academy Award-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell.
by Dan Marois - May 18, 2026
Jukebox musicals are practically a summer tradition at the Ogunquit Playhouse. In recent years, we’ve seen everything from Jersey Boys and Million Dollar Quartet to The Cher Show, On Your Feet!-The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Heartbreak Hotel, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and last year’s world premiere of When Elvis Met the Beatles.
by Nicole Rosky - May 18, 2026
BroadwayWorld has just learned that the Tony Award winning and Grammy Award nominated musical, and the most nominated production of the 2024/2025 Broadway season, DEATH BECOMES HER, will conclude its Broadway run. WE have all of the details here.
by A.A. Cristi - May 15, 2026
Ogunquit Playhouse has unveiled production photos for it's new production of Ain't Too Proud- The Life and Times of the Temptations. Featuring iconic songs including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” this is the story behind the music—and everything it took to make it.
by Nicole Rosky - May 17, 2026
The best of the New York City theatre community was at Town Hall for the 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards, the theater award honoring excellence across all of New York City’s theatrical landscape. Check out a full list of winners here.
by Nicole Rosky - May 23, 2026
The 2026 Tony nominees are already winners... literally. For some, this marks their first nomination, but others have already won Tony Awards in seasons past. We took a look at which nominees have won at least a Tony or two (or four!) - amongst them, they've gathered a total 64 awards.
by Stephi Wild - May 12, 2026
Hamilton will welcome five new cast members to its Broadway company. Lauren Mariasoosay will take over the role of Eliza Hamilton, alongside Marcus John as Alexander Hamilton.
by Nicole Rosky - May 4, 2026
Awards season has arrived! While many stellar productions are poised to earn multiple nominations this season, it will take quite a few to stand up to the current record holders. Do any of this season's shows stand a chance at making history? Below, check out which Broadway shows hold the records for the most-Tony nominated productions of all time.
by Nicole Rosky - May 10, 2026
Still thinking about the Tony nominations? Us too! Check out some takeaways from the big announcement and recap the full list and the nominees' reactions!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 4, 2026
The 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards is set to be the largest gathering in the organization's seven-decade history — with the most Drama Desk winners and nominees, past and present, ever assembled for the ceremony.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 4, 2026
Black Theatre United has revealed the designers for this year’s BTU Design Expo, alongside the launch of the new BTU Design Expo App. The 2026 Expo brings together leading theatre designers alongside emerging and early-career artists.
by Nicole Rosky - May 5, 2026
The nominations are in! Below, check out how each show fared individually in a full list of nominations by show. Follow us on BroadwayWorld throughout the day, as we'll bring you Tony nominee reactions, exclusive reports, surprises, behind the scenes coverage and oh, so much more!
by Stephi Wild - May 1, 2026
The North American Tour of SUFFS announced recoupment after just 28 playing weeks, having reached more than 375,000 patrons. The Tony Award-winning musical continues touring with upcoming engagements in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Memphis, and Fort Worth.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Outstanding Costume Design of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Best Costume Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Outstanding Costume Design of a Mus (Drama Desk Awards) for Death Becomes Her, Outstanding Costume Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Death Becomes Her, Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Death Becomes Her, Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Suffs, Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Suffs, Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for MJ The Musical, Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations, Best Costume Design (Olivier Awards) for Hamilton, Best Costume Design (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Hamilton, Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Hamilton, Outstanding Costume Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Hamilton, Outstanding Costume Design, HAYES Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Side Show, Best Costume Design (Olivier Awards) for Memphis The Musical, Outstanding Costume Design (The Lortels) for Hamilton, Best Costume Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for A Streetcar Named Desire, Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Memphis, Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Carnival! , Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for In The Heights, Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Color Purple, Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Camelot , Outstanding Costume Design (The Lortels) for Caroline, or Change, Outstanding Costume Design (The Lortels) for Boston Marriage, Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for The Women, Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Peer Gynt, Outstanding Costume Design (The Lortels) for On the Town, Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Blithe Spirit , Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for The Matchmaker, Best Costume Design (Tony Awards) for Bring in 'da Noise/Bring in 'da Funk, Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for The Revenger's Comedies, Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for The Odyssey, Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for The African Company Presents "Richard III", Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for The Way of the World and Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for The Caucasian Chalk Circle.
Paul Tazewell has won several prestigious awards for his work in costume design. These include: - Outstanding Costume Design of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Joe Turner's Come and Gone - Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Death Becomes Her - Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Suffs - Best Costume Design (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Hamilton - Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Hamilton - Outstanding Costume Design, HAYES Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Side Show - Outstanding Costume Design (The Lortels) for Hamilton - Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Camelot - Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Peer Gynt - Outstanding Costume Design (The Lortels) for On the Town - Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for The African Company Presents "Richard III"
Videos
