So wonderful to catch up with Dede Ayite, who made her Broadway debut in the 2018 revival of Children of a Lesser God. On the podcast today, Dede and Hal explore how to use design to construct character, how she imparts the value of transformation on her students, and the creative benefit of embracing failure.

Dede Ayite is a two time tony nominated 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, Marie and Rosetta, (Atlantic); By The Way, Meet Vera Stark, (Signature); BLKS, School Girls… (MCC); Bella: An American Tall Tale (Playwrights Horizons); The Royale (Lincoln Center); Toni Stone (Roundabout). Regionally, Ayite’s work has appeared at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Steppenwolf, Arena Stage and more. 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.

To catch a glimpse of what she's dreaming up next, follow Dede on Instagram @DedeAyiteDesign.