William Ivey Long

When the Tony Award nominations were announced May 15 in New York City, nominees took to the world stage to bask in their well-deserved limelight. Applause came from theatre lovers everywhere, but no one was cheering more loudly for costume designer William Ivey Long than the faculty, staff and students of UNC Asheville. Long, who was nominated for "Best Costume Design of a Musical" for his work on "Grey Gardens," has generously shared his time and talent with the University.

Long, a North Carolina native, was given an honorary degree at UNC Asheville's spring 2005 Commencement Ceremony. Since then, he's been diligent about maintaining contact with students and faculty.

In 2006, he visited campus to give a talk and conduct two master classes for drama majors. He brought along with him sketches, costumes and headpieces from some of his most famous shows. When he visited Assistant Drama Professor Ida Bostian's costume design class, he talked with students about how he gets started on a project. After he discussed his process, he gave students the assignment of working on costume concepts and sketches for "A Midsummer Night's Dream." He came back at the end of the semester to critique their work.

"William Ivey Long is just a wonder," said Bostian. "Having him visit our class was an incredible opportunity for students to see beyond their undergraduate work. Sometimes students who are contemplating pursing the arts professionally find it a bit scary to think of job prospects. He helped them realize that they could actually have a career in the theatre. He was proof to our students that not only can you make a living doing theatre, but you can make a difference doing theatre."

Long, a dedicated philanthropist, also set an example of giving to the students. After his visit to campus, he sent 12 stools to UNC Asheville's Drama Department for use in the design studio.

Last summer, he invited Bostian to New York. She spent two weeks working in his warehouse helping staff organize and catalogue sketches and costumes. She and several students are planning a return trip this fall.

In March, Long opened his studio to UNC Asheville's aspiring theatre designers during the University's World of Work program. The annual program gave 18 students the opportunity to travel to New York during spring break. Students met with leaders in the arts, journalism and business to gain a glimpse into their desired professions. Four students visited Long's studio and spent several hours with the theater legend.

Drama major Katie Fuller, 20 of Hillsborough, N.C., sat in on Long's master classes on campus last year and visited his studio this spring.

"Visiting William Ivey Long's studio was magical," said Fuller. "It was snowing outside and he invited us into his grand three-story building, which serves as both his home and studio. He was so gracious and hospitable – the ultimate Southern Renaissance man. It was like being back in North Carolina while we were at his home."

Fuller and the other students were given a complete tour of the studio – including Long's study where he keeps his four Tony Awards.

"We went into Mr. Long's study and there they were – just sitting on the fireplace mantle in the same place where you and I might put a clock or a ceramic statue of a cat," laughed Fuller.

Long let the students hold and examine the Tony Awards, but Fuller declined.

"I felt like they were too precious for me to hold," she said. When Long urged her on, Fuller told him she would wait until she could hold one of her own.

Long must have loved her answer: he let her wear a cape he had designed for Siegfried & Roy's Las Vegas act for the rest of the visit.

Long designs costumes for theatre, opera, dance, television, movies, concerts and special events. He has worked on 54 Broadway productions and has won four Tony Awards. The National Theatre Conference named him Person of the Year in 2000, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago presented him with the Legend of Fashion Award in 2003. Last year, he was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame. Long divides his time between New York and his family farm in Seaboard, N.C. Each summer he designs costumes and sets for "The Lost Colony" on Roanoke Island. He is also founder and president of the Eastern Seaboard Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization and historic preservation of Seaboard.

Long has four shows currently running on Broadway, including "Grey Gardens," which received 10 Tony Award nominations. The musical is based on the 1975 documentary of the same title that follows the lives of the Beales, relatives of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who live in isolation in East Hampton, N.Y.

The 61st annual Tony Awards will be presented on June 10 at Radio City Music Hall. There's no doubt that Bostian, Fuller and a host of other UNC Asheville students, faculty and staff will be glued to their televisions that night to see if Long picks up his fifth Tony Award.