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Machine Dazzle

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Machine Dazzle BIO

Machine Dazzle is a New York-based artist and costume designer who has gained widespread recognition for his spectacular and avant-garde creations. Born Matthew Flower in rural Pennsylvania, Machine Dazzle moved to New York City in the early 1990s to pursue a career in the arts. He quickly became involved in the downtown performance scene and began designing costumes for a variety of experimental theater productions.
Machine Dazzle's designs are known for their bold colors, intricate details, and unconventional materials. He often incorporates found objects and recycled materials into his creations, giving them a distinctive and eco-friendly edge. His costumes have been described as "wearable sculptures" and have been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world.
In addition to his work as a costume designer, Machine Dazzle is also a performer in his own right. He has collaborated with a number of artists and companies, including Taylor Mac, The Builders Association, and Julie Atlas Muz. He has also performed in a number of his own works, including "The Beast of Times" and "Unicornicopia."
Machine Dazzle's work has been featured in a number of high-profile productions on and off-Broadway. He designed the costumes for the Tony Award-winning revival of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" starring Neil Patrick Harris, as well as the Broadway production of "The Rocky Horror Show." He also designed the costumes for the off-Broadway hit "Taylor Mac's A 24-Decade History of Popular Music," which won the 2017 Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama Inspired by American History.
In addition to his work in theater, Machine Dazzle has also designed costumes for a number of music videos and live performances. He has worked with a diverse range of musicians, including David Byrne, Rufus Wainwright, and Justin Vivian Bond.
Machine Dazzle's unique and boundary-pushing designs have earned him numerous accolades and awards. In 2014, he was awarded a Bessie Award for his costume design work, and in 2018 he was named a MacArthur Fellow, receiving a prestigious "Genius Grant" for his contributions to the arts.
Most recently, Machine Dazzle designed the costumes for the Broadway production of "Hadestown," a musical retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth set in a post-apocalyptic world. The production, which opened in April 2019, was a critical and commercial success, winning eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Costume Design for Machine Dazzle.

Machine Dazzle Photos

Machine Dazzle Productions

 
[Off-Off-Broadway, 2020]
Costume Designer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2013]
Costumes Designer

Machine Dazzle Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical

Machine DazzleThe Hang

Machine Dazzle News


Ann Hould-Ward and Richard Hudson Receive TDF's Irene Sharaff Awards


TDF, the not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts, has just announced that celebrated costume designer ANN HOULD-WARD and legendary scenic designer RICHARD HUDSON are among the 2024 TDF/Irene Sharaff Award recipients.

Taylor Mac, Janice Amaya & More to Star in Sarah Ruhl's ORLANDO at Signature Theatre


Signature Theatre has revealed the cast of Spotlight Resident Sarah Ruhl’s Orlando, adapted from Virginia Woolf’s novel and directed by Will Davis.

Vangeline Theater/New York Butoh Institute Partners with ELF and Machine Dazzle for MAN WOMAN


Vangeline Theater/New York Butoh Institute partners with ELF and Machine Dazzle for a new duet titled MAN WOMAN.

BARK OF MILLIONS New Rock Opera From Taylor Mac, Matt Ray, And Machine Dazzle Makes US Premiere At BAM, February 5- 10


'Bark of Millions, a new rock opera from Taylor Mac, Matt Ray, and Machine Dazzle, makes its US premiere at BAM from Feb 5—10. Don't miss this landmark exhibition celebrating LGBTQ artists in downtown NYC, opening on Feb 1.'

Materials For The Arts Opens FORMALITIES First-Ever Sculpture Exhibition By Machine Dazzle


Machine Dazzle presents 'Formalities,' the artist's first-ever sculptural exhibition at Materials for the Arts. Explore the new works created from supplies found in the MFTA warehouse.

The Joyce Theater Foundation to Present Eight Edition of American Dance Platform


The Joyce Theater Foundation is continuing its mission to bring the best in dance to its New York City stage in the eighth iteration of American Dance Platform.

BAM Sets 2024 Winter/Spring Season Featuring New Rock Opera From Taylor Mac & More


BAM ushers in 2024 by presenting a season that honors the power of artistic community. See program details and learn how to purchase tickets!

Materials For The Arts Opens FORMALITIES the First-Ever Sculptural Exhibition From Machine Dazzle


MATERIALS FOR THE ARTS presents 'FORMALITIES' by MFTA Artist-in-Residence Machine Dazzle, featuring the artist's first-ever sculptural exhibition. Experience new works created from supplies found in the MFTA warehouse.

Materials For The Arts Opens Machine Dazzles's FORMALITIES A Solo Gallery Exhibition


On Thursday, November 16 from 6:30PM to 8:30PM, Materials for the Arts (MFTA) is will present a solo exhibition by MFTA Artist-in-Residence Machine Dazzle. Renowned costume designer and artist, Machine Dazzle has graced stages across New York City and beyond with awe-inspiring creations and performances for decades.

Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of ARMS AND THE MAN at Gingold Theatrical Group


See photos from opening night of Gingold Theatrical Group's Arms and the Man at Theatre Row.

Materials for the Arts' MASKED MARVELOUS Gala Returns This Week


On Tuesday, October 24 from 6:00PM to 10:00PM, Materials for the Arts (MFTA) will host its one-of-a-kind annual Masked Marvelous gala in its warehouse for the first time since 2019.

PSYCHIC SELF DEFENSE by Normandy Sherwood is Coming to HERE


Prepare to be amazed as 'Psychic Self Defense' by Normandy Sherwood takes the stage at HERE. Uncover the secrets of this mind-blowing theatrical performance and experience the power of psychic self-defense. Don't miss out on this unforgettable show running at HERE.

HERE Will Honor Jason Baruch and Machine Dazzle at HERE's Extra Gala


On June 5, HERE (Kristin Marting, Founding Artistic Director) will honor HERE former board member and entertainment lawyer Jason Baruch and conceptual artist, designer, and musician Machine Dazzle at HERE’s Extra Gala.

Jillian Walker's THE WHITNEY ALBUM Comes to Soho Rep This Month


Soho Rep presents the world premiere of multidisciplinary theater-maker, musician, and composer Jillian Walker's The Whitney Album. Walker's ritual performance flows between incantation, love lecture, scene, and song as it considers the labor of performance itself and honors the legacy of Whitney Houston and so many other Black women beloved, and consumed, for their art.

Jillian Walker's THE WHITNEY ALBUM Premieres at Soho Rep in May


Soho Rep presents the world premiere of multidisciplinary theater-maker and “imaginary historian” Jillian Walker's The Whitney Album, a meditation on the artist's relationship to Whitney Houston's work and personal life, and perceptions of both in the American imagination. The production concludes a 2022-23 Soho Rep season consisting entirely of works commissioned by the organization

Photos: Stars Arrive on the BAD CINDERELLA Opening Night Red Carpet


See photos of stars as they arrive on the Bad Cinderella opening night red carpet!

Photos: On the Red Carpet for the 66th Annual Obie Awards


Just last night, the American Theatre Wing presented the 66th Obie Awards, celebrating and honoring Off- and Off-Off-Broadway. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out photos from the red carpet here!

FAT HAM, ENGLISH, Kara Young, Saheem Ali & More Win Obie Awards for 2020-2022 Season


The American Theatre Wing has announced winners for the 66th Obie Awards, celebrating and honoring Off- and Off-Off-Broadway. See the full list!

Celebrate Women's History Month at Joe's Pub with Shaina Taub, Jackie Hoffman, Carol Lipnik & More


Celebrate the intersectionality of femininity during Women’s History Month in March with Shaina Taub, Annahstasia, Carol Lipnik, Ladama, Emily Scott Robinson, Alisa Amador, Violet Bell, Jackie Hoffman, Generation Women, and more!

Joe's Pub Announces Lineup for The 2023 Joe's Pub Gala


Joe’s Pub has announced the full lineup for the 2023 Joe’s Pub Gala on Monday, March 6 with a 6:00 pm cocktail reception in The Library restaurant followed by a 7:00 pm dinner and performances at the venue. Tickets are available now. Guest list is not available.  

Machine Dazzle FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Machine Dazzle been nominated for?

Machine Dazzle has been nominated for Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for the show The Hang.

What awards has Machine Dazzle won?

Machine Dazzle has won the Sustained Achievement in Design award at the Obie Awards.

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