PAUL TAZEWELL
Paul Tazewell has profoundly impacted theater, film, and television over three decades with his innovative and inspired designs. Renowned for visually stunning costumes, his work enhances both storytelling and character development.
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Paul's recent achievements include winning an Academy Award for Best Costume Design for his work on Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu and featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. This accolade was accompanied by a BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design, a Critics Choice Award, the Costume Designers Guild's Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film award, NAACP Image Award and the Innovator Award from the African American Film Critics Association, underscoring his critical role in bringing the fantastical world of Oz to life. Additional accolades include an Academy Award nomination for West Side Story in 2021, an Emmy for "The Wiz! Live," and recognitions for his contributions to Harriet, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert."
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On Broadway, his costumes in Death Becomes Her currently on Broadway and the 2024 production of Suffs demonstrate his ongoing influence, earning him a Drama Desk Award in 2024 and a Tony Award nomination. His revolutionary designs for Hamilton won him a Tony Award in 2016, further establishing his reputation in theatrical costume design.
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Throughout his career, Tazewell has earned multiple Lucille Lortel Awards, Helen Hayes Awards, and additional accolades from the Costume Designers Guild. His dedication is also evident in his collaborations with The Metropolitan Opera, The Bolshoi Ballet, and The English National Opera.
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Educated at New York University and the North Carolina School of the Arts, Tazewell has shared his expertise as a guest artist at these institutions and served on the faculty at Carnegie Mellon University from 2003 to 2006.
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Based in New York City, Tazewell continues to inspire and shape the future of costume design, bringing life to a rich tapestry of characters through his artful and intricate designs.
THE PAUL TAZEWELL SCHOLARSHIP AT UNCSA
A merit-based scholarship established by Paul for undergraduate students of color in the School of Design and Production at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1986.
With this gift, Paul "hopes to inspire emerging artists of color to follow their dreams and become the next generation of creative innovators."
