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When we at Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre celebrate our 31st year with our gala, The King Hing Thing next month, we’re excited to honor the work of two extraordinary people: Maria Rosario Jackson, and Albert Wolsky. Last week we introduced you to Jackson, today we’re introducing you to Wolsky!

If Albert Wolsky’s name is familiar to you it may be that you’ve heard him accepting an award or two. In addition to two Oscars, the costume designer has received a Hollywood Film Award, three Drama Desk Awards, and the Costume Designers Guild’s Career Achievement Award!

Of course, even if you don’t recognize him, you almost certainly recognize his work.

For example …

Grease (1978)

The Pelican Brief (1993)

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Revolutionary Road (2008)

Birdman (or the Unexpected Ignorance of Virtue) (2014)

Wolsky’s legend extends beyond the screen, as he’s also well known for his stage work. In the early 1960’s he started his career as an assistant to renowned costume designers. Wolsky worked with Patricia Zipprodt on the 1964 Broadway premiere of Fiddler on the Roof, and with Ann Roth on the 1965 Broadway premiere of The Odd Couple.

Fun fact: Wolsky merged costuming for stage and film when he designed costumes for Bob Fosse’s All That Jazz.

And for those wondering how one even begins to conceptualize make the clothes that make the character, Wolsky dropped a clue during a 2014 interview with the New York Times:

‘I always start by finding out why a director has spent two years of their life trying to get a project off the ground,’ he said. ‘Once I have that, I can go off and start research.’

We’re excited to honor Oscar Wolsky with an Artistic Achievement award at our annual gala on October 1st!

Purchase a table, tickets or an ad for the gala here.