Alexandra Ligh

Phamaly Theatre Company | 2025

As the costume designer for a disability-affirmative production of Spelling Bee, I had the opportunity to lean into a unique sense of authenticity for each character. I looked beyond the typical ways of dressing the six principal spellers, encouraged by my director to explore what this version of an iconic musical could look like when rooted in themes of radical love and unexpected community among “charming weirdos.”

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With Marcy framed as both punk and an overachiever, her edginess presented a fresh version of the character and helped the actor draw upon a genuine lived experience. While this production’s Leaf wore the classic cape, we chose to emphasize the character’s quirkiness and presented an authentically neurodivergent Leaf who literally wore his special interests on his sleeve. Introducing Chip as an awkward jock helped him stand out in a group of visibly nerdy kids while also subtly reinforcing the character’s own arrogance. Overall, the costumes in this production served to illustrate a group of eccentric individuals navigating a highly emotional environment while simultaneously meeting the performers’ access needs.