William Ivey Long

William Ivey Long is a renowned American costume designer known for his work on Broadway productions, including Chicago, Hairspray, and Grey Gardens. He has collaborated with notable directors such as Harold Prince, Susan Stroman, and Michael Mayer. Long's designs have been featured in numerous productions at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, Gershwin Theatre, and Al Hirschfeld Theatre. He has also worked with esteemed playwrights like Terrence McNally, John Kander, and Fred Ebb.

● Early Life and Education

William Ivey Long was born in Seaboard, North Carolina, and grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. He developed an interest in the arts at a young age, influenced by his mother, a North Carolina Symphony patron, and his father, a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill professor. Long attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied fine arts and theater. He later moved to New York City to pursue a career in costume design, enrolling in the Yale School of Drama and studying under the guidance of Ming Cho Lee and Peggy Eisenhauer.

● Career

Long's career in costume design spans over three decades, with his first Broadway credit being the 1982 production of Nine, directed by Tommy Tune. He has since worked on numerous productions, including Crazy for You, Guys and Dolls, and The Producers, which premiered at the St. James Theatre. Long has collaborated with notable choreographers like Susan Stroman, Rob Ashford, and Kathleen Marshall, and has designed costumes for opera productions at the Metropolitan Opera and San Francisco Opera. He has also worked with regional theaters such as the Guthrie Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and Center Stage.

● Notable Works

Some of Long's most notable works include the costume design for Chicago, which premiered at the Richard Rodgers Theatre and featured Ann Reinking and Bebe Neuwirth. He also designed costumes for Hairspray, which opened at the Neil Simon Theatre and starred Marissa Jaret Winokur and Harvey Fierstein. Long's designs for Grey Gardens, which premiered at the Walter Kerr Theatre, earned him critical acclaim and numerous award nominations, including a Tony Award nomination for Best Costume Design. He has also designed costumes for Shrek The Musical, which opened at the Broadway Theatre and featured Brian d'Arcy James and Sutton Foster.

● Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Long has received numerous awards and nominations for his work, including multiple Tony Award nominations and wins, as well as Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations. He has been recognized for his contributions to the theater community by organizations such as the Theatre Development Fund and the League of American Theatres and Producers. Long has also been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Theatre Conference and a Special Award from the New York Drama Critics' Circle.

● Personal Life

Long is a member of the United Scenic Artists and has served on the board of the Theatre Communications Group. He has also been involved with various charitable organizations, including the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Actors' Fund of America. Long has been recognized for his philanthropic work, receiving a Humanitarian Award from the Point Foundation. He has also been honored with a Doctor of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the North Carolina School of the Arts. Category:American costume designers