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Dede Ayite

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BIO

Dede Ayite is a costume designer whose Broadway credits include A Soldier’s Play, Slave Play, American Son, and Children of a Lesser God. Select Off-Broadway credits include Secret Life of Bees, FireFlies, Marie and Rosetta, Tell Hector I Miss Him (Atlantic); By The Way, Meet Vera Stark, JHAT (Signature); BLKS, Collective Rage…, School Girls… (MCC); Slave Play (NYTW); Sugar in Our Wounds (MTC); If Pretty Hurts…, Mankind, Bella: An American Tall Tale (Playwrights Horizons); The Royale (Lincoln Center); Ugly Lies the Bone (Roundabout); and brownsville song [b-side for tray] (LCT3). Regionally, Ayite’s works has appeared at Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Williamstown Theatre Festival; Steppenwolf; American Repertory Theater, Denver Center; California Shakespeare; La Jolla Playhouse; Berkeley Repertory; Baltimore Center Stage; Arena Stage; Cleveland Playhouse; Signature Theatre; and McCarter Theatre, Hartford Stage. She has worked in television with Netflix, Comedy Central, and FOX Shortcoms. Ayite earned her MFA at the Yale School of Drama and has received an Obie, Lucille Lortel, Helen Hayes, Theatre Bay Area, and Jeff Awards, along with four Drama Desk Nominations.

Photos

Productions

GoddessGoddess
 
[Off-Broadway, 2025]
Costume Designer
OthelloOthello
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Costume Designer
Buena Vista Social ClubBuena Vista Social Club
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Costume Designer
Strategic Love PlayStrategic Love Play
 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Costume Designer
Our TownOur Town
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Costume Design
Hell's KitchenHell's Kitchen
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Costume Design
Days of Wine and RosesDays of Wine and Roses
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Costume Design
Buena Vista Social ClubBuena Vista Social Club
 
[Off-Broadway, 2023]
Costume Design
Hell's KitchenHell's Kitchen
 
[Off-Broadway, 2023]
Costume Design
Jaja's African Hair BraidingJaja's African Hair Braiding
 
[Broadway, 2023]
Costume Design
Days of Wine and RosesDays of Wine and Roses
 
[Off-Broadway, 2023]
Costume Design
A Soldier's PlayA Soldier's Play
 
[US Tour, 2022]
Costume Design
My Broken LanguageMy Broken Language
 
[Off-Broadway, 2022]
Costume Design
Topdog/UnderdogTopdog/Underdog
 
[Broadway, 2022]
Costume Designer
Richard IIIRichard III
 
[Off-Broadway, 2022]
Costume Designer
HelpHelp
 
[Off-Broadway, 2022]
Costume Designer
Slave PlaySlave Play
 
[Broadway, 2021] [Replacement]
Costume Design[Replacement]
A Soldier's PlayA Soldier's Play
 
[Broadway, 2020]
Costume Design
The Underlying ChrisThe Underlying Chris
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Costume Designer
Power StripPower Strip
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Costume Designer
Slave PlaySlave Play
 
[Broadway, 2019]
Costume Designer
The New EnglandersThe New Englanders
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Costume Designer
American MoorAmerican Moor
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Costume Design
The Rolling StoneThe Rolling Stone
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Costume Designer
Toni StoneToni Stone
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Costume Designer
BLKSBLKS
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Costume Designer
Slave PlaySlave Play
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Costume Designer
American SonAmerican Son
 
[Broadway, 2018]
Costume Designer
Collective Rage: A Play in 5 BettiesCollective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Costume Designer
Sugar in Our WoundsSugar in Our Wounds
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Costume Designer
Children of a Lesser GodChildren of a Lesser God
 
[Broadway, 2018] [Replacement]
Costume Designer[Replacement]
The RoyaleThe Royale
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016]
Costume Designer
Ugly Lies the BoneUgly Lies the Bone
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Costume Design

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical

Dede Ayite, Buena Vista Social Club

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Costume Design (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Dede Ayite, Jaja's African Hair Braiding

The Lortels - 2024 - Outstanding Costume Design

Dede Ayite, Buena Vista Social Club

Tony Awards - 2024 - Best Costume Design of a Musical

Dede Ayite, Hell's Kitchen


winner
Tony Awards - 2024 - Best Costume Design of a Play

Dede Ayite, Jaja's African Hair Braiding

Tony Awards - 2024 - Best Costume Design of a Play

Dede Ayite, Appropriate

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical)

Dede Ayite, Topdog/Underdog


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2022 - Special Award

Dede Ayite

Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Costume Design of a Play

Dede Ayite, Slave Play

Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Costume Design of a Play

Dede Ayite, A Soldier's Play

Videos

More Videos

News


Maleah Joi Moon and Brandon Victor Dixon Will Depart HELL'S KITCHEN Next Month Photo
Maleah Joi Moon and Brandon Victor Dixon Will Depart HELL'S KITCHEN Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Feb 14, 2025

Original Broadway cast members Maleah Joi Moon and Brandon Victor Dixon will depart Hell's Kitchen next month. Learn more about the cast and the production here!
Photos: Meet the Cast of WINE IN THE WILDERNESS Photo
Photos: Meet the Cast of WINE IN THE WILDERNESS
by Jennifer Broski - Feb 12, 2025

Classic Stage Company will soon present Wine in the Wilderness by Alice Childress and directed by Tony Award winner LaChanze in her New York directorial debut. Check out photos of the company here!
Video: Adrienne Warren and Nick Jonas in THE LAST FIVE YEARS Music Video Photo
Video: Adrienne Warren and Nick Jonas in THE LAST FIVE YEARS Music Video
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 11, 2025

The original music video for “Goodbye Until Tomorrow/I Could Never Rescue You,” by Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown featuring Grammy and Golden Globe Award nominee Nick Jonas and Tony Award winner Adrienne Warren was just released. Watch the new video, directed by Brayden Harry, here!
Bonnie Milligan, Beanie Feldstein and More Nominated for 2025 Helen Hayes Awards Photo
Bonnie Milligan, Beanie Feldstein and More Nominated for 2025 Helen Hayes Awards
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 11, 2025

Theatre Washington has announced nominees for the 41st Helen Hayes Awards, which will be presented on Monday, May 19 at an event at The Anthem. The nominations are for productions in the Washington, DC, region in the 2024 calendar year.
Grantham Coleman, Lakisha Michelle May & More Join WINE IN THE WILDERNESS At CSC Photo
Grantham Coleman, Lakisha Michelle May & More Join WINE IN THE WILDERNESS At CSC
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 29, 2025

Classic Stage Company has revealed the full cast for Wine in the Wilderness by Alice Childress and directed by Tony Award winner LaChanze in her New York directorial debut. Learn more.
HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES Launches National Tour At McCarter Theatre Center Tomorrow Photo
HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES Launches National Tour At McCarter Theatre Center Tomorrow
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 23, 2025

The National Tour of Here There Are Blueberries, the acclaimed Pulitzer Prize finalist play from Tectonic Theater Project by Tony and Emmy nominee Moisés Kaufman and Emmy nominee Amanda Gronich opens tomorrow night Friday, January 24 and runs through February 9 at McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton NJ.
Video: Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren Perform From THE LAST FIVE YEARS Photo
Video: Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren Perform From THE LAST FIVE YEARS
by Stephi Wild - Jan 22, 2025

We've got an all new sneak peek at the music from The Last Five Years, featuring clips of Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren in the studio. The video features Nick performing “Moving Too Fast” and Adrienne performing “I Can Do Better Than That.”
OUR TOWN Plays Final Broadway Performance Photo
OUR TOWN Plays Final Broadway Performance
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 19, 2025

Our Town will play its final performance at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre following 26 previews and 117 regular performances. The venue will soon be home to Othello, starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal.
Photos: BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB Begins Rehearsals on Broadway Photo
Photos: BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB Begins Rehearsals on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 17, 2025

Rehearsals have begun for the new Broadway musical BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB in New York City. Check out rehearsal photos of the new Broadway production and learn more about the show!
Photos: Jessica Vosk and the Cast of HELL'S KITCHEN in All New Photos Photo
Photos: Jessica Vosk and the Cast of HELL'S KITCHEN in All New Photos
by Stephi Wild - Jan 17, 2025

All new production photos have been released from the new musical HELL’S KITCHEN, currently playing at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre, which now features Jessica Vosk. Check out the photos here!
THE LAST FIVE YEARS Will Feature New Orchestrations From Jason Robert Brown Photo
THE LAST FIVE YEARS Will Feature New Orchestrations From Jason Robert Brown
by Stephi Wild - Jan 17, 2025

The music team and orchestra have been announced for the  first-ever Broadway production of Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown’s THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
Video: Behind The Scenes of the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Parade with Broadway’s HEL Photo
Video: Behind The Scenes of the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Parade with Broadway’s HELL’S KITCHEN
by Blair Ingenthron - Jan 5, 2025

Go behind the scenes at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with the cast of Hell's Kitchen. Watch the cast perform in the rain as they discuss their memories from previous parades in the video here!
Last Chance To Vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards; MONARCH at Creative Cauldron Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 27, 2024

This is the last chance to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Last Chance To Vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards
by BWW Awards - Dec 27, 2024

This is the last chance to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Final Week To Vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards
by BWW Awards - Dec 23, 2024

This is the final week to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Final Week To Vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards; Creative Cauldron Leads Favorite Local Theatre!
by BWW Awards - Dec 23, 2024

This is the final week to vote for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Video: Alicia Keys Visits Former School, Reunites with Teacher Who Shaped Her Music Photo
Video: Alicia Keys Visits Former School, Reunites with Teacher Who Shaped Her Music
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 19, 2024

Alicia Keys is looking back at the education and educators that have led to her massive success. The Hell's Kitchen writer recently visited her old performing arts school, also reuniting with a former teacher who has been integral to her journey. Watch the video now!
Cast Set For National Tour of HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES Photo
Cast Set For National Tour of HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES
by Stephi Wild - Dec 18, 2024

The cast has been announced for the national tour of Tectonic Theater Project’s new play, Here There Are Blueberries. Learn more about the cast and find out where to catch the show here!
Vote For The 2024 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards; LA LLAMADA at Spanish Theatre Repertory Company Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 16, 2024

Voting continues for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Vote For The 2024 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards; MONARCH at Creative Cauldron Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 16, 2024

Voting continues for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Washington, DC Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Dede Ayite been nominated for?

Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Buena Vista Social Club, Outstanding Costume Design (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Jaja's African Hair Braiding, Outstanding Costume Design (The Lortels) for Buena Vista Social Club, Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Hell's Kitchen, Best Costume Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for Jaja's African Hair Braiding, Best Costume Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for Appropriate, Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Topdog/Underdog, Special Award (Drama Desk Awards), Best Costume Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for Slave Play and Best Costume Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for A Soldier's Play.

What awards has Dede Ayite won?

Dede Ayite has won the Best Costume Design of a Play at the Tony Awards for Jaja's African Hair Braiding and a Special Award at the Drama Desk Awards.

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