"Into the Woods" Interview with Costume Designer Alexandria Connolly

UB Theatre and Dance’s annual spring musical “Into the Woods” by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine opens for a single week run at UB, from April 23 – 26, 2026. Get best seats early at: https://www.ticketmaster.com/search?q=into+the+woods+ub+center+for+the+arts

Junior Theatre: Design/Technology major Alexandria Connolly is Costume Designer for the show, responsible for more than two dozen designs and construction as part of this large-scale production in the Center for the Arts Drama Theatre with live orchestra.

What first interested you in costume design? How long have you been doing it?

I first became interested in costume design in my freshman year of high school. I was part of the wardrobe, hair and makeup, and costume crew for my high school's production of “The Little Mermaid” in 2020. I loved it so much that it made me continue to do that in high school, and here I am in college still doing it. 

Are you also, or have you been, a performer? Or do you prefer to concentrate on the production side of the performing arts?

I grew up being a performer! I was a dancer and so that was my first exposure to theatre, nonetheless production. However, I prefer being on the production side of things!

How many different characters and costumes will the audience experience during the show? How do you even begin to conceive of your designs? Do you begin with an overall concept for the show, or is it more driven by individual character ideas?

There are 24 characters in this show but there are 29 costumes that the audience will get to experience! For me, this show and the way I thought about designing the characters was driven by how the world (of the show) feels. The world of “Into the Woods” is a whimsical, magical world that has themes of nature. Then I thought about the characters and their behaviors. So overall it is a mix of both the characters and the overall concept of the show.

How much have you had to learn about different fabrics and costume construction techniques? And about color, as I see you used swatches as reference for some of your designs?

I have learned so much about fabric this semester, I've learned about how fabric looks in the light, how fabric lays on the body, and how it behaves when being constructed and tailored. The swatches in my designs are actually the color palettes that I made based off of the moods boards I collaged for each character. 

What aspects of costume design and creation do you most enjoy, and why?

My favorite part of costume designing is researching and the rendering process. I love being able to sit down and think about the characters and the clothes that they would wear and what inspired the clothes on their bodies. 

How long does it take to design a costume? And how long does it take to physically create one? 

For me to design these costumes, it depends on the character for this show. For example, when designing Cinderella "At the Ball" it took me a couple of hours max as I visualized what the dress looked like in my head. Versus when I designed Florinda, it took me, I believe, two days because I was trying to figure out how to make that dress be over-the-top and dramatic. 

What roles do faculty and/or students have in assisting you or collaborating to achieve success in these roles? Is there a whole team which constructs the costumes?

I have a whole team behind me that has helped me get to where I am for Into the Woods! Max Levitt (Costume Design Mentor/Costume Shop Supervisor), Cindy Darling (Assistant Costume Shop Manager), and Judy Curtis (Firsthand Draper and Tailor) are the faculty that have helped led the team. There is Em who is my hair and makeup designer and Sara who is my assistant who has helped me in more ways than one. We also have my drapers Angel, Sophia, Hailey, and Kay who have helped build and draped five of my designs.  There are so many other students who work in the costume shop. Everyone who has worked on this show in the costume shop has made my dream become a reality and I cannot be more thankful and grateful for everything. 

How would you describe the overall aesthetic of the show?

“Into the Woods” by Stephen Sondheim is a musical about how there is no such thing as happy endings even after the characters get their wishes. It feels whimsical, full of color, and joy representing the "happy ending" and then somber, muted colors, and bittersweet after learning the result of their wishes. Therefore, it needs to represent fairy tale visuals while also showing how the woods have changed them. ​

Do you feel you might like to pursue costume design professionally or in a related field? Why or why not?

Being in this role as the costume designer has made me realize how much I want to keep doing this professionally. I love costume designing so much, I can't imagine a world where I'm not designing costumes somewhere. 

What else might potential patrons like to know about the show and/or what goes on behind the scenes?

Patrons should know that there are so many people who work together to make this show possible. The faculty and staff that work in our shops and beyond, the students who help work in the shops to help with scenic, lighting, sound, props, costumes, and more happen, the student design team, the mentors, actors, the directorial team, the orchestra, stage management, and more.