Dede Ayite

Dede Ayite is a Lecturer in Theater, Dance & Media at Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Her professional career spans prestigious institutions including Broadway, Off-Broadway theaters, and regional venues. She holds an MFA from the Yale School of Drama.

Her research and creative work focuses on costume design and its intersection with narrative, cultural identity, and performance aesthetics. Notable designs include works for A Soldier’s Play, Slave Play, and Children of a Lesser God, alongside television collaborations with Netflix, Comedy Central, and FOX Shorts.

Awardees of major honors, Ayite has received the Obie, Lucille Lortel, Helen Hayes, Theatre Bay Area, and Jeff Awards, alongside four Drama Desk nominations. Her regional collaborations include Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Steppenwolf, and others.

Leveraging her industry experience, Ayite bridges academic pedagogy with professional practice through design mentorship and curriculum development in theater arts.