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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

Basura
 
[Broadway, 2026]
Costume Designer
Proof
 
[Broadway, 2026]
Costume Designer
GoddessGoddess
 
[Off-Broadway, 2025]
Costume Designer
The Last Five YearsThe Last Five Years
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Costume Designer
Lighting Design
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
HomeHome
 
[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


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

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News


Review: HELL'S KITCHEN National Tour at Durham Performing Arts Center Photo
Review: HELL'S KITCHEN National Tour at Durham Performing Arts Center
by Jeffrey Kare - Feb 18, 2026

Inspired by the music and upbringing of Alicia Keys. Hell’s Kitchen follows Ali, a 17-year-old girl full of fire, searching for freedom, passion, and her place in the world. Along the way, we meet her dynamic family, a musical mentor who changes her life, and the neighborhood that helps her grow up.
HELL'S KITCHEN Sets Broadway Closing Date; Brandon Victor Dixon to Return Photo
HELL'S KITCHEN Sets Broadway Closing Date; Brandon Victor Dixon to Return
by Stephi Wild - Jan 15, 2026

The Tony Award, Grammy Award and Drama League Award-winning musical HELL’S KITCHEN has announced its closing date on Broadway. Learn more about the show and how to still catch it on Broadway here!
Last Chance to Vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards; RENT Leads Best Musica Photo
Last Chance to Vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards; RENT Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 29, 2025

This is the last chance to vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Final Weeks to Vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards; RVC Starlight Theatre Photo
Final Weeks to Vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards; RVC Starlight Theatre Leads Favorite Theatre!
by BWW Awards - Dec 22, 2025

We're in the final weeks to vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Latest Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards; HAIRSPRAY Leads Photo
Latest Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards; HAIRSPRAY Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 15, 2025

The latest standings have been released for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Paul Tazewell and More to be Honored at TDF's Second Annual COSTUMES & COCKTAILS Bene Photo
Paul Tazewell and More to be Honored at TDF's Second Annual COSTUMES & COCKTAILS Benefit
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 11, 2025

TDF will present the return of Costumes & Cocktails, a glamorous party and benefit celebrating its exceptional Costume Collection. The event will honor Paul
Creative Team Set For the World Premiere of Gloria Estefan and Emily Estefan's BASURA Photo
Creative Team Set For the World Premiere of Gloria Estefan and Emily Estefan's BASURA
by Stephi Wild - Dec 9, 2025

The creative team has been announced for the world premiere production of BASURA, a new musical with music and lyrics by Gloria Estefan and Emily Estefan, premiering at the Alliance Theatre.
Latest Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards; RVC Starlight T Photo
Latest Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards; RVC Starlight Theatre Leads Favorite Theatre!
by BWW Awards - Dec 8, 2025

The latest standings have been released for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
First Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards; JEKYLL & HYDE Le Photo
First Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards; JEKYLL & HYDE Leads Best Musical!
by BWW Awards - Dec 1, 2025

The first standings have been released for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES Announces Initial UK Cast at Stratford East Photo
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.
Listen: HELL'S KITCHEN Release Holiday Song 'Hell’s Kitchen’s A Merry Little Chri Photo
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!
Review: HELL'S KITCHEN National Tour Presented by Broadway In Chicago Photo
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.
HELL’S KITCHEN Opens At The James M. Nederlander Theatre For Three-Week Chicago Eng Photo
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.
Samira Wiley and Jin Ha Join the Cast of PROOF on Broadway Photo
Samira Wiley and Jin Ha Join the Cast of PROOF on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Nov 6, 2025

Samira Wiley and Jin Ha join the cast of PROOF, the first Broadway revival of David Auburn's acclaimed play, opening April 16, 2026.
PROOF Will Play Broadway's Booth Theatre Photo
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.
Photos: Tony-Winner Natalie Venetia Belcon, Michael Urie, Uzo Aduba and More Step Out Photo
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.
Review: JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING at Mark Taper Forum Photo
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.
2025 BLACK THEATRE ALLIANCE AWARDS Nominations Announced Photo
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.
Michael Urie, Beth Malone and More to Join Tectonic Theater Project Gala Honoring Bar Photo
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!
JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING Comes to the Mark Taper Forum Photo
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!
More News

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, including the Outstanding Costume Design of a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for Our Town. She also received the Best Costume Design of a Play at the Tony Awards for Jaja's African Hair Braiding. Additionally, Dede Ayite was honored with a Special Award from the Drama Desk Awards.

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