Dede Ayite
Latest News on Dede Ayite:
HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES Announces Initial UK Cast at Stratford East (Nov 26, 2025)
Listen: HELL'S KITCHEN Release Holiday Song 'Hell’s Kitchen’s A Merry Little Christmas” (Nov 21, 2025)
Review: HELL'S KITCHEN National Tour Presented by Broadway In Chicago (Nov 13, 2025)
HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES Announces Initial UK Cast at Stratford East (Nov 26, 2025)
Listen: HELL'S KITCHEN Release Holiday Song 'Hell’s Kitchen’s A Merry Little Christmas” (Nov 21, 2025)
Review: HELL'S KITCHEN National Tour Presented by Broadway In Chicago (Nov 13, 2025)
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
Awards and Nominations
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Costume Design of a Pla
Dede Ayite, Our Town
Tony Awards - 2025 - Best Costume Design of a Musical
Dede Ayite, Buena Vista Social Club
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
Video: THE LAST FIVE YEARS Standbys Noah Kieserman & Nasia Thomas Have Special Performance
by Michael Major - 2025-06-16 09:44:10
Video: Watch HELL'S KITCHEN Perform 'Girl on Fire' & 'No One' on GOOD MORNING AMERICA
by Michael Major - 2025-06-13 14:09:08
Video: Nick Jonas Shares the Biggest Difference Between Touring and Broadway
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-05-16 14:00:43
Video: Tank and Amanda Reid Perform 'If I Ain't Got You' From HELL'S KITCHEN; Deluxe Album Out Next Week
by Stephi Wild - 2025-05-16 05:37:09
Video: How Nick Jonas Learned 'The Schmuel Song' From THE LAST FIVE YEARS
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-05-15 15:15:53
Video: Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren Reveal Their Favorite Moments in THE LAST FIVE YEARS
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-11 18:01:08
Video: What Adrienne Warren Wants People to Know About Broadway Previews
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-01 12:26:31
Video: Whitney White Shares Why She Cast Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren in THE LAST FIVE YEARS
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-03-25 16:47:14
Video: Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren Perform 'The Next Ten Minutes' From THE LAST FIVE YEARS
by Stephi Wild - 2025-03-14 10:10:33
Video: Watch Amber Iman Sing 'Honey Sweet' From GODDESS Musical
by Michael Major - 2025-03-05 15:05:36
Video: Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren Perform From THE LAST FIVE YEARS
by Stephi Wild - 2025-01-22 08:17:30
Video: Behind The Scenes of the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Parade with Broadway’s HELL’S KITCHEN
by Blair Ingenthron - 2025-01-05 15:38:00
Video: Alicia Keys Visits Former School, Reunites with Teacher Who Shaped Her Music
by Josh Sharpe - 2024-12-19 13:38:12
Video: Kecia Lewis Performs 'Perfect Way To Die' from HELL'S KITCHEN at The Root 100 Gala
by Stephi Wild - 2024-12-16 08:05:56
Video: Katie Holmes Surprises Zoey Deutch on GMA with OUR TOWN Question
by Josh Sharpe - 2024-12-09 12:34:37
Video: Shoshana Bean and Jakeim Hart of HELL'S KITCHEN Cover ‘Lesson Learned’ by Alicia Keys
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-12-01 10:05:45
Video: Heléne Yorke and Michael Zegen in STRATEGIC LOVE PLAY Off-Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2024-11-13 13:45:18
Video: Meet The Cast of JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING At Arena Stage
by A.A. Cristi - 2024-09-09 22:08:39
Video: Dede Ayite Celebrates Tony Win for Best Costume Design of a Play
by Joey Mervis - 2024-06-16 20:07:46
News
HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES Announces Initial UK Cast at Stratford East
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 26, 2025
HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES will make its UK premiere at Stratford East in early 2026, marking a major new collaboration with Tectonic Theater Project. The production brings Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich’s acclaimed work to London following celebrated runs in the U.S.
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 26, 2025
HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES will make its UK premiere at Stratford East in early 2026, marking a major new collaboration with Tectonic Theater Project. The production brings Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich’s acclaimed work to London following celebrated runs in the U.S.
Listen: HELL'S KITCHEN Release Holiday Song 'Hell’s Kitchen’s A Merry Little Christmas”
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 21, 2025
Broadway’s Hell’s Kitchen has dropped a new holiday song, “Hell’s Kitchen’s A Merry Little Christmas,' an original mash-up of the holiday classic “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and Alicia Keys’ “The Gospel.” Check it out now!
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 21, 2025
Broadway’s Hell’s Kitchen has dropped a new holiday song, “Hell’s Kitchen’s A Merry Little Christmas,' an original mash-up of the holiday classic “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and Alicia Keys’ “The Gospel.” Check it out now!
Review: HELL'S KITCHEN National Tour Presented by Broadway In Chicago
by Rachel Weinberg - Nov 13, 2025
HELL’S KITCHEN, the Alicia Keys jukebox musical now making its Chicago premiere as part of the first national tour, has a messy storyline wrapped in slick packaging. While the show is loosely based on Keys’s childhood in Manhattan, the storytelling is generic, and the songs are often awkwardly incorporated into the book. Admittedly, Kristoffer Diaz’s book is weak. It’s a flimsy vehicle for Keys’s song catalog. Huge Alicia Keys fans might enjoy hearing her biggest hits performed by musical theater actors, but the plot around them doesn’t hang together.
by Rachel Weinberg - Nov 13, 2025
HELL’S KITCHEN, the Alicia Keys jukebox musical now making its Chicago premiere as part of the first national tour, has a messy storyline wrapped in slick packaging. While the show is loosely based on Keys’s childhood in Manhattan, the storytelling is generic, and the songs are often awkwardly incorporated into the book. Admittedly, Kristoffer Diaz’s book is weak. It’s a flimsy vehicle for Keys’s song catalog. Huge Alicia Keys fans might enjoy hearing her biggest hits performed by musical theater actors, but the plot around them doesn’t hang together.
HELL’S KITCHEN Opens At The James M. Nederlander Theatre For Three-Week Chicago Engagement
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 12, 2025
HELL’S KITCHEN, the 13-time Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical featuring the songs of Alicia Keys, is now playing at the James M. Nederlander Theatre in Chicago through November 30, 2025.
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 12, 2025
HELL’S KITCHEN, the 13-time Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical featuring the songs of Alicia Keys, is now playing at the James M. Nederlander Theatre in Chicago through November 30, 2025.
Samira Wiley and Jin Ha Join the Cast of PROOF on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Nov 6, 2025
Emmy Award and SAG Award winner Samira Wiley will make her Broadway debut this spring with Grammy Award nominee Jin Ha, in the first ever Broadway revival of David Auburn’s Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play Proof.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 6, 2025
Emmy Award and SAG Award winner Samira Wiley will make her Broadway debut this spring with Grammy Award nominee Jin Ha, in the first ever Broadway revival of David Auburn’s Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play Proof.
PROOF Will Play Broadway's Booth Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Oct 27, 2025
Proof has found its Broadway home! The first ever Broadway revival of David Auburn’s Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play Proof, starring Ayo Edebiri and Don Cheadle, will play Broadway’s Booth Theatre for a limited run.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 27, 2025
Proof has found its Broadway home! The first ever Broadway revival of David Auburn’s Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play Proof, starring Ayo Edebiri and Don Cheadle, will play Broadway’s Booth Theatre for a limited run.
Photos: Tony-Winner Natalie Venetia Belcon, Michael Urie, Uzo Aduba and More Step Out for A TECTONIC CABARET
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 21, 2025
Tectonic Theater Project hosted its annual benefit gala, A Tectonic Cabaret, on October 20, 2025, at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. The event honored Tony-winning producer Barbara Whitman and Emmy Award-winning actress and activist Uzo Aduba, featuring performances by Hannah Gadsby, Beth Malone, Natalie Venetia Belcon, and more. Check out photos from the event.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 21, 2025
Tectonic Theater Project hosted its annual benefit gala, A Tectonic Cabaret, on October 20, 2025, at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. The event honored Tony-winning producer Barbara Whitman and Emmy Award-winning actress and activist Uzo Aduba, featuring performances by Hannah Gadsby, Beth Malone, Natalie Venetia Belcon, and more. Check out photos from the event.
Review: JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at Mark Taper Forum
by Evan Henerson - Oct 13, 2025
JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING, completing a mini tour of regional theaters at the Mark Taper Forum following an acclaimed New York run in the fall of 2023, is a tender and humorous snapshot of a community and also a plea for community.
by Evan Henerson - Oct 13, 2025
JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING, completing a mini tour of regional theaters at the Mark Taper Forum following an acclaimed New York run in the fall of 2023, is a tender and humorous snapshot of a community and also a plea for community.
2025 BLACK THEATRE ALLIANCE AWARDS Nominations Announced
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 7, 2025
The 2025 Black Theatre Alliance Awards have announced nominations celebrating excellence in Chicago’s African American theatre community. The ceremony will take place October 27, 2025, at the Beverly Arts Center and honor ILesia Duncan with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 7, 2025
The 2025 Black Theatre Alliance Awards have announced nominations celebrating excellence in Chicago’s African American theatre community. The ceremony will take place October 27, 2025, at the Beverly Arts Center and honor ILesia Duncan with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Michael Urie, Beth Malone and More to Join Tectonic Theater Project Gala Honoring Barbara Whitman
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 18, 2025
Tony Award-winning producer Barbara Whitman will be presented with the James C. Hormel Spirit of Tectonic Award at Tectonic Theater Project's A Tectonic Cabaret, the organization’s annual benefit gala. Learn more!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 18, 2025
Tony Award-winning producer Barbara Whitman will be presented with the James C. Hormel Spirit of Tectonic Award at Tectonic Theater Project's A Tectonic Cabaret, the organization’s annual benefit gala. Learn more!
JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Comes to the Mark Taper Forum
by Stephi Wild - Sep 11, 2025
Center Theater Group has announced the Tony-winning Jaja's African Hair Braiding by Joceyln Bioh and directed by Whitney White. Learn more about the production here!
by Stephi Wild - Sep 11, 2025
Center Theater Group has announced the Tony-winning Jaja's African Hair Braiding by Joceyln Bioh and directed by Whitney White. Learn more about the production here!
Alicia Keys Will Perform Following Upcoming Performances of HELL'S KITCHEN
by Stephi Wild - Sep 9, 2025
HELL’S KITCHEN, the Grammy Award-winning musical featuring the music of Alicia Keys, will host Encore Sessions with Alicia Keys, a series of post-show performances where Keys will take center stage alongside company members from the production.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 9, 2025
HELL’S KITCHEN, the Grammy Award-winning musical featuring the music of Alicia Keys, will host Encore Sessions with Alicia Keys, a series of post-show performances where Keys will take center stage alongside company members from the production.
Complete Cast & Route Set For HELL'S KITCHEN Tour; Serena Williams Joins Producing Team
by Joshua Wright - Sep 8, 2025
Complete casting and routing has been announced for the national tour of Hell's Kitche. Serena Williams will join the production as a producer. Performances begin October 10, 2025 at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio.
by Joshua Wright - Sep 8, 2025
Complete casting and routing has been announced for the national tour of Hell's Kitche. Serena Williams will join the production as a producer. Performances begin October 10, 2025 at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio.
Nikiya Mathis, MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, & More Earn 2025 Hewes Design Awards
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 4, 2025
The Henry Hewes Design Awards Committee has revealed the 2025 Henry Hewes Design Awards Honorees who will be recognized at the 61st annual ceremony on October 20 in New York.
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 4, 2025
The Henry Hewes Design Awards Committee has revealed the 2025 Henry Hewes Design Awards Honorees who will be recognized at the 61st annual ceremony on October 20 in New York.
Ayo Edebiri And Don Cheadle Will Star In PROOF on Broadway, Directed by Thomas Kail
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 20, 2025
Broadway will welcome Ayo Edebiri and Don Cheadle in the first-ever New York revival of Proof, David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning drama. Directed by Thomas Kail (Hamilton), the production begins previews March 31, 2026, at a Shubert Theatre to be announced. This strictly limited engagement marks the Broadway debuts of both Edebiri and Cheadle.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 20, 2025
Broadway will welcome Ayo Edebiri and Don Cheadle in the first-ever New York revival of Proof, David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning drama. Directed by Thomas Kail (Hamilton), the production begins previews March 31, 2026, at a Shubert Theatre to be announced. This strictly limited engagement marks the Broadway debuts of both Edebiri and Cheadle.
HELL'S KITCHEN To Play Limited Engagement In Chicago This November
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 19, 2025
Tickets are now on sale for HELL’S KITCHEN, Alicia Keys’ hit Broadway musical, coming to Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre November 11–30, 2025. The North American Tour will star Maya Drake as Ali, with Kennedy Caughell and Roz White featured in principal roles.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 19, 2025
Tickets are now on sale for HELL’S KITCHEN, Alicia Keys’ hit Broadway musical, coming to Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre November 11–30, 2025. The North American Tour will star Maya Drake as Ali, with Kennedy Caughell and Roz White featured in principal roles.
MR. WOLF Chicago Premiere to Launch Steppenwolf Theatre Company 50th Anniversary Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 18, 2025
Steppenwolf Theatre Company will launch its 50th Anniversary Season with the Chicago premiere of ensemble member Rajiv Joseph’s unflinching family drama Mr. Wolf. Learn more!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 18, 2025
Steppenwolf Theatre Company will launch its 50th Anniversary Season with the Chicago premiere of ensemble member Rajiv Joseph’s unflinching family drama Mr. Wolf. Learn more!
Exclusive: Maya Drake, Kennedy Caughell, & Roz White Will Lead HELL'S KITCHEN Tour
by Joshua Wright - Aug 8, 2025
The highly anticipated, multi-year North American tour will star Maya Drake as Ali, Kennedy Caughell as Jersey and Roz White as Miss Liza Jane. Additional principals and full ensemble casting will be announced at a later date.
by Joshua Wright - Aug 8, 2025
The highly anticipated, multi-year North American tour will star Maya Drake as Ali, Kennedy Caughell as Jersey and Roz White as Miss Liza Jane. Additional principals and full ensemble casting will be announced at a later date.
Steppenwolf Reveals Full Casting Announced For MR. WOLF Chicago Premiere
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 25, 2025
Steppenwolf Theatre Company will launch its 50th Anniversary Season with the Chicago premiere of ensemble member Rajiv Joseph's (King James, Guards at the Taj) unflinching family drama Mr. Wolf, directed by ensemble member K. Todd Freeman.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 25, 2025
Steppenwolf Theatre Company will launch its 50th Anniversary Season with the Chicago premiere of ensemble member Rajiv Joseph's (King James, Guards at the Taj) unflinching family drama Mr. Wolf, directed by ensemble member K. Todd Freeman.
Full Cast Set for MR. WOLF Chicago Premiere at Steppenwolf Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 24, 2025
Steppenwolf Theatre Company is launching its 50th Anniversary Season with the Chicago premiere of ensemble member Rajiv Joseph’s unflinching family drama Mr. Wolf. Learn more!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 24, 2025
Steppenwolf Theatre Company is launching its 50th Anniversary Season with the Chicago premiere of ensemble member Rajiv Joseph’s unflinching family drama Mr. Wolf. Learn more!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What awards has Dede Ayite been nominated for?
Outstanding Costume Design of a Pla (Drama Desk Awards) for Our Town, Best Costume Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Buena Vista Social Club, 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 several prestigious awards for costume design. She received the Outstanding Costume Design of a Play award at the Drama Desk Awards for Our Town. Additionally, she won the Best Costume Design of a Play at the Tony Awards for Jaja's African Hair Braiding. Dede Ayite has also been honored with a Special Award from the Drama Desk Awards.
Videos