Outstanding Costume Design
Working Professionals
A principal strength of the Theatre Design/Technology program at Purchase is drawn from the knowledge and experience of the accomplished working professionals that comprise its faculty.
It’s thrilling when their work receives the highest honors in the industry—two faculty members earned nominations for Drama Desk Awards.
The Legend of Georgia McBride
Anita Yavich, associate professor of theatre design/technology, won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design for a Play for her work on The Legend of Georgia McBride. On May 1, she won the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Costume Design.
The Legend of Georgia McBride follows Casey, an Elvis impersonator, as he transitions his act into a winning drag queen in the Florida Panhandle. According to the New York Times review, “Anita Yavich’s costumes are alternately well observed and, when Casey’s star has risen, splendidly gaudy.”
Red Speedo
For the play Red Speedo, Riccardo Hernandez, assistant professor of theatre design/technology, received a nomination for set design.
Red Speedo involves an Olympic swimmer embroiled in a drug scandal as he prepares for his Olympic trials. Hernandez’s impressive design, described as “audacious” by the Associated Press, was a 40-foot-long heated pool lit from below.
“We are proud to have Professors Hernandez and Yavich among the many working artists that teach in the School of the Arts. An important part of a professional education in the arts is access to and collaboration with working artists, and at Purchase we are blessed to have faculty who are among the best in their fields,” says Ravi Rajan, dean, School of the Arts.
The Drama Desk Awards honor the best of Broadway, off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway.
The Lucille Lortel Foundation was created by Lucille Lortel to foster excellence and diversity in the theatre, as well as to faithfully preserve the rich history and support the continued prosperity of Off-Broadway.