Costume designer Toni Spadafora began her career in New York working in the costume shops at The Public Theatre, Brooks Van Horn and Eaves while earning her MFA at NYU School of the Arts. She was the resident designer for Battery Dance Company, NYC; the Second Stage at the Hartman Theatre, Stanford, CT; and The Children's Theatre Place, NYC. She was the assistant designer for the Broadway shows Coming' Uptown starring Gregory Hines, Perfectly Frank, based on the music of Frank Loesser, and Bring Back Birdie, starring Chita Rivera and Donald O'Connor.
Moving to Los Angeles opened many new doors and Toni's design work included the Hallmark Hall of Fame film Consenting Adult, directed by Gil Cates; independent film, Valentino Returns, directed by Peter Hoffman; and commercials for Coca-Cola, Ramblin' Rootbeer, Coleco Games, and the Clio Award-winning series of commercials and print ads for Friskies Buffet cat food. She was also the associate designer, with Ray Aghayan, for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Her work in Los Angeles included managing the sample workrooms for Bob Mackie Couture as well as working with the legendary designers, Bob Mackie, Ray Aghayan and Ret Turner on multiple projects for television and the stage.
At this point in her career Toni made a huge decision - to step away and devote time to her 5 year old son. She left L.A., moved to Cape Cod, MA spending the next 12 years as a full time mom, a volunteer, and as a teacher in a K-12 private school. Ready for a new challenge Toni began working in the fashion industry - first for Chico's in Fort Myers, FL and then for Lane Bryant in Columbus, OH. At both companies, as Senior Designer, she designed and managed teams of four assistants focused on wear to work separates, blouses, dresses and outerwear.
Upon arriving back in New England, Toni was asked by Brian McEleney to design her first show at Trinity Rep in 2014. Since that time she has designed 11 shows, with 6 different directors, on the Trinity stages. Toni appreciates how the arc of her career has quietly turned into a beautiful circle.
Along with her current theatre work, Toni also designs and makes a line of gender neutral clothing for kids ages 6 mos - 4 years that she sells at artisan/maker markets, online and in select stores.
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