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Toni-Leslie James

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BIO

Broadway: Bernhardt/Hamlet; Come From Away; August Wilson’s Jitney; Amazing Grace; Lucky Guy; The Scottsboro Boys; Finian’s Rainbow; Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life; Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom; King Hedley II; One Mo’ Time; The Wild Party; Marie Christine; Footloose; The Tempest; Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992; Angels in America: Millennium Approaches & Perestroika; Chronicle of a Death Foretold; and Jelly’s Last Jam. Off-Broadway: The Public Theater, Playwrights Horizons, Second Stage, Soho Rep, Lincoln Center Theater, New York Theatre Workshop, Manhattan Theatre Club, and the Roundabout Theatre, among others. Regional: Berkeley Repertory Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Steppenwolf, Hartford Stage, Long Wharf Theatre, the Old Globe, Mark Taper Forum, Arena Stage, Cleveland Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse, Seattle Rep, and internationally on the West End in the UK. She has 38 costume design nominations and awards for her contributions to various theatrical productions, including two Tony Award nominations, five Drama Desk nominations, two Hewes Design Awards, the Irene Sharaff Young Masters Award for Costume Design Excellence, and an Obie Award for Sustained Costume Design Excellence.

Photos

Productions

Midnight in the Garden of Good and EvilMidnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Costume Designer
Ava: The Secret Conversations
 
[Off-Broadway, 2025]
Costume Designer
RedwoodRedwood
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Costume Designer
GypsyGypsy
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Costume Designer
Birthday CandlesBirthday Candles
 
[Broadway, 2022]
Costume Design
Flying Over SunsetFlying Over Sunset
 
[Broadway, 2021]
Costumes
Come From AwayCome From Away
 
[West End, 2021] [Replacement]
Costume Design[Replacement]
JitneyJitney
 
[US Tour, 2019]
Costume Designer
Long LostLong Lost
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Costume Designer
PassagePassage
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Costume Designer
White NoiseWhite Noise
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Costume Designer
Paradise SquareParadise Square
 
[San Francisco (Regional), 2019]
Costume Designer
Come From AwayCome From Away
 
[US Tour, 2018] [Replacement]
Costume Design[Replacement]
Bernhardt/HamletBernhardt/Hamlet
 
[Broadway, 2018]
Costume Designer
OthelloOthello
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Costume Designer
AdmissionsAdmissions
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Costume Designer
Come From AwayCome From Away
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Costume Designer
JitneyJitney
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Costume Designer
Come From AwayCome From Away
 
[Washington, DC (Regional), 2016]
Costume Designer
Daphne's DiveDaphne's Dive
 
[New York, 2016]
Costume Design
Head of PassesHead of Passes
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016]
Costume Design
Mother Courage and Her ChildrenMother Courage and Her Children
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Costume Designer
First Daughter SuiteFirst Daughter Suite
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Costume Designer
Amazing GraceAmazing Grace
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Costume Design
The Scottsboro BoysThe Scottsboro Boys
 
[Broadway, 2010]
Costume Designer
The Scottsboro BoysThe Scottsboro Boys
 
[Off-Broadway, 2010]
Costume Designer
Finian's RainbowFinian's Rainbow
 
[Broadway, 2009]
Costume Designer
Wig Out!
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Costume Designer
Face the Music
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Costume Designer
Blue Door
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Costume Designer
Of Thee I Sing
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Costume Designer
Bernarda Alba
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Costume Designer
Costume Designer
Chita Rivera: The Dancer's LifeChita Rivera: The Dancer's Life
 
[Broadway, 2005]
Costume Designer
Dessa Rose
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Costume Designer
Costume Designer
Can-Can
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Costumes
Elegies
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Costume Designer
House of Flowers
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Costume Designer
Little Fish
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Costume Designer
Costume Designer
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Costume Designer
Talk
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Costume Designer
One Mo' Time
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Costume Designer
Carson McCullers (Historically Inaccurate)
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Costume Designer
King Hedley II
 
[Broadway, 2001]
Costume Designer
Bloomer Girl
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Costumes
A Connecticut Yankee
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Costume Designer
The Wild Party
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Costume Designer
Marie Christine
 
[Broadway, 1999]
Costume Designer
Babes in Arms
 
[Off-Broadway, 1999]
Costumes
Footloose
 
[Broadway, 1998]
Costume Designer
A New Brain
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Costume Designer
Costume Designer
Macbeth
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Costume Designer
Henry VIII
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Costume Designer
The Boys from Syracuse
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Costume Designer
God's Heart
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Costume Designer
Insurrection: Holding History
 
[Off-Broadway, 1996]
Costume Designer
Dancing on Her Knees
 
[Off-Broadway, 1996]
Costume Designer
Sheila's Day
 
[Off-Broadway, 1996]
Costume Designer
The Tempest
 
[Broadway, 1995]
Costume Designer
The Tempest
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Costume Designer
Chronicle of a Death Foretold
 
[Broadway, 1995]
Costume Designer
Dog Opera
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Costume Designer
3 Postcards
 
[Off-Broadway, 1994]
Scenic Designer
Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992
 
[Broadway, 1994]
Costume Designer
Twilight: Los Angeles 1992
 
[Off-Broadway, 1994]
Costume Designer
East Texas Hot Links
 
[Off-Broadway, 1994]
Costume Designer
Hello Again
 
[Off-Broadway, 1993]
Costume Designer
Angels in America: Perestroika
 
[Broadway, 1993]
Costume Designer
Measure for Measure
 
[Off-Broadway, 1993]
Costume Designer
Angels in America: Millennium Approaches
 
[Broadway, 1993]
Costume Designer
Jelly's Last Jam
 
[Broadway, 1992]
Costume Designer
Babylon Gardens
 
[Off-Broadway, 1991]
Costume Designer
Walking the Dead
 
[Off-Broadway, 1991]
Costume Designer
The Caucasian Chalk Circle
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Costume Designer
Spunk:Three Tales by Zora Neale Hurston
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Costume Designer
Three Postcards
 
[Off-Broadway, 1987]
Costume Designer

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Costume Design of a Musical

Toni-Leslie James, Paradise Square

Drama Desk Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Costume Design for a Play

Toni-Leslie James, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2019 - Outstanding Costume Design for a Play

Toni-Leslie James, Bernhardt/Hamlet

Tony Awards - 2019 - Best Costume Design of a Play

Toni-Leslie James, Bernhardt/Hamlet

Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical

Toni-Leslie James, Come From Away

Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Costume Design for a Play

Toni-Leslie James, Jitney

Tony Awards - 2017 - Best Costume Design of a Play

Toni-Leslie James, August Wilson's Jitney

The Lortels - 2016 - Outstanding Costume Design

Toni-Leslie James, First Daughter Suite

The Lortels - 2013 - Outstanding Costume Design

Toni-Leslie JamesA Civil War Christmas


winner
Obie Awards - 2009 - Design

Toni-Leslie JamesSustained excellence of costume design


winner
Obie Awards - 2009 - Design

Toni-Leslie JamesSustained excellence of costume design

The Lortels - 2009 - Outstanding Costume Design

Toni-Leslie James, Wig Out!

Helen Hayes Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production

Toni-Leslie James3 Mo' Divas

Drama Desk Awards - 1995 - Outstanding Costume Design

Toni-Leslie James, The Tempest

Drama Desk Awards - 1992 - Outstanding Costume Design

Toni-Leslie James, Jelly's Last Jam


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1992 - Costume Design

Toni-Leslie James, Jelly's Last Jam

Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Costume Design

Toni-Leslie James , Jelly's Last Jam

Videos

More Videos

News


Elizabeth McGovern's AVA: THE SECRET CONVERSATIONS to Make New York Debut Photo
Elizabeth McGovern's AVA: THE SECRET CONVERSATIONS to Make New York Debut
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 2, 2025

AVA: The Secret Conversations, written by and starring Elizabeth McGovern will make its New York premiere this summer at NY City Center, Stage I. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Kathy Najimy, Valentina, Ann Hould-Ward, and Martha Clarke Join TDF’s Spring Benefi Photo
Kathy Najimy, Valentina, Ann Hould-Ward, and Martha Clarke Join TDF’s Spring Benefit
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 31, 2025

TDF will celebrate 50 years of its exceptional Costume Collection with a glamorous party, Costumes & Cocktails. Learn more about the event and see who is being honored.
Arthur Wilson Named as Recipient of 2025 Burry Fredrik Design Fellowship Photo
Arthur Wilson Named as Recipient of 2025 Burry Fredrik Design Fellowship
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 24, 2025

The Burry Fredrik Foundation has named costume and scenic designer Arthur Wilson as the recipient of the 2025 Burry Fredrik Design Fellowship and its $10,000 award. Learn more about Wilson and about the award.
Idina Menzel Extends Broadway Run in REDWOOD Photo
Idina Menzel Extends Broadway Run in REDWOOD
by Stephi Wild - Mar 19, 2025

Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel has extended her run in Redwood, and will now star in the new musical through August 17, 2025. Learn more about Redwood here!
Review: 3 SUMMERS OF LINCOLN at La Jolla Playhouse Photo
Review: 3 SUMMERS OF LINCOLN at La Jolla Playhouse
by ErinMarie Reiter - Mar 5, 2025

“3 Summers of Lincoln” at the La Jolla Playhouse brings you a vibrant musical about a friendship between President Lincoln and Frederick Douglass that changed the course of American history. 
Review Roundup: Critics Sound Off On La Jolla's 3 SUMMERS OF LINCOLN Photo
Review Roundup: Critics Sound Off On La Jolla's 3 SUMMERS OF LINCOLN
by Joshua Wright - Mar 4, 2025

3 Summers of Lincoln, starring Ivan Hernandez, Quentin Earl Darrington, Carmen Cusack, John-Andrew Morrison, and more is now on stage at La Jolla Playhouse. The world premiere musical is now playing at La Jolla Playhouse through March 23, 2025.
Video: First Look at 3 SUMMERS OF LINCOLN at La Jolla Playhouse Photo
Video: First Look at 3 SUMMERS OF LINCOLN at La Jolla Playhouse
by Michael Major - Mar 3, 2025

Watch a first look at 3 Summers of Lincoln, starring Ivan Hernandez, Quentin Earl Darrington, Carmen Cusack, John-Andrew Morrison, and more. See the video now!
COME FROM AWAY Comes To The Palace Theater In April Photo
COME FROM AWAY Comes To The Palace Theater In April
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 28, 2025

The Palace Theater has announced the national tour of COME FROM AWAY, a Broadway musical about the true story of the small town that welcomed the world, will make its Waterbury debut the Palace Theater for a limited engagement April 4-5, 2025.
TDF To Celebrate 50 Years of the Costume Collection At April Benefit Photo
TDF To Celebrate 50 Years of the Costume Collection At April Benefit
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 21, 2025

TDF will celebrate 50 years of its exceptional Costume Collection with a glamorous party, Costumes & Cocktails, on Monday, April 7 at Tao Downtown (92 Ninth Avenue).
Photos: REDWOOD on Broadway Opening Night Curtain Call Photo
Photos: REDWOOD on Broadway Opening Night Curtain Call
by Bruce Glikas - Feb 14, 2025

See photos from the opening night curtain call of Redwood on Broadway starring Idina Menzel. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Review Roundup: REDWOOD Starring Idina Menzel Opens On Broadway Photo
Review Roundup: REDWOOD Starring Idina Menzel Opens On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 14, 2025

Idina Menzel is climbing to new heights as she returns to Broadway in the new musical Redwood. The new musical features De’Adre Aziza, Michael Park, Zachary Noah Piser, and Khaila Wilcox. Read the reviews!
Video: See Khaila Wilcoxon Sing From REDWOOD Ahead of the Show's Opening Night Photo
Video: See Khaila Wilcoxon Sing From REDWOOD Ahead of the Show's Opening Night
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 13, 2025

To celebrate Redwood's opening night on Broadway, watch watch Khaila Wilcoxon (Becca) perform the song 'Little Redwood' at BroadwayCon! Learn more about Redwood and see how to purchase tickets.
Video: Idina Menzel Performs From REDWOOD Atop a Real Redwood Tree Photo
Video: Idina Menzel Performs From REDWOOD Atop a Real Redwood Tree
by Stephi Wild - Feb 13, 2025

Idina Menzel is back on Broadway in Redwood, which officially opens tonight! To celebrate the big day, Idina took to Instagram to share a video of herself atop a real-life redwood tree, singing a song from the show.
A WONDERFUL WORLD Will Host Talkbacks in Honor of Black History Month Photo
A WONDERFUL WORLD Will Host Talkbacks in Honor of Black History Month
by Stephi Wild - Feb 11, 2025

A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical will host talkbacks following two upcoming performances in celebration of Black History Month, in collaboration with Audience Rewards.
Photos: First Look at REDWOOD With Idina Menzel, De’Adre Aziza & More Photo
Photos: First Look at REDWOOD With Idina Menzel, De’Adre Aziza & More
by Michael Major - Feb 7, 2025

A first look at Idina Menzel in Redwood on Broadway has arrived. The new photos feature De’Adre Aziza, Michael Park, Zachary Noah Piser, and Khaila Wilcoxon in the new musical, now in previews at the Nederlander Theatre.
Broadway Hit COME FROM AWAY Plays The King Center In February Photo
Broadway Hit COME FROM AWAY Plays The King Center In February
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 6, 2025

The American Theatre Guild, with ASM Global and the King Center, will present the national tour of COME FROM AWAY, a Broadway musical about the true story of the small town that welcomed the world.
Idina Menzel Will Be Out of REDWOOD Sunday Matinee Due to Illness Photo
Idina Menzel Will Be Out of REDWOOD Sunday Matinee Due to Illness
by Blair Ingenthron - Feb 2, 2025

BroadwayWorld has learned that Idina Menzel will be out of Redwood for the Sunday, February 2nd matinee performance due to illness. Standby Jessica Phillips will be on for the performance.
Jessica Phillips Makes Standby Debut in REDWOOD; Menzel Out Due to Illness Photo
Jessica Phillips Makes Standby Debut in REDWOOD; Menzel Out Due to Illness
by Blair Ingenthron - Feb 2, 2025

Jessica Phillips, who serves as Idina Menzel's standby in Redwood made her debut in the evening show on Saturday, February 1st, after the matinee performance was canceled due to illness.
REDWOOD Saturday Matinee Performance Cancelled Due to Illness Photo
REDWOOD Saturday Matinee Performance Cancelled Due to Illness
by Blair Ingenthron - Feb 1, 2025

According to a post on the show's official Instagram account, the Saturday, February 1st matinee performance of Redwood, starring Idina Menzel, has been canceled.
A WONDERFUL WORLD: THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG MUSICAL Announces Broadway Closing Date Photo
A WONDERFUL WORLD: THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG MUSICAL Announces Broadway Closing Date
by Joshua Wright - Jan 26, 2025

A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical will play its final performance on Broadway on Sunday, February 23, 2025. At the time of closing, the production will have played 151 performances, including 31 previews.
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Toni-Leslie James been nominated for?

Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Paradise Square, Outstanding Costume Design for a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf, Outstanding Costume Design for a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Bernhardt/Hamlet, Best Costume Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for Bernhardt/Hamlet, Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Come From Away, Outstanding Costume Design for a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Jitney, Best Costume Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for August Wilson's Jitney, Outstanding Costume Design (The Lortels) for First Daughter Suite, Outstanding Costume Design (The Lortels) for A Civil War Christmas, Design (Obie Awards) for Sustained excellence of costume design, Design (Obie Awards) for Sustained excellence of costume design, Outstanding Costume Design (The Lortels) for Wig Out!, Outstanding Costume Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for 3 Mo' Divas , Outstanding Costume Design (Drama Desk Awards) for The Tempest, Outstanding Costume Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Jelly's Last Jam, Costume Design (The Hewes Awards) for Jelly's Last Jam and Best Costume Design (Tony Awards) for Jelly's Last Jam.

What awards has Toni-Leslie James won?

Outstanding Costume Design for a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Bernhardt/Hamlet; Design (Obie Awards) for sustained excellence in costume design; Design (Obie Awards) for sustained excellence in costume design; and Costume Design (The Hewes Awards) for Jelly's Last Jam.

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