Sally Ann Parsons: A Costume Maker's Art

Sally Ann Parsons: A Costume Maker's Art

From Sighs and Whispers by Laura McLaws Helms

December 9, 2025 · 1h 1m

About this episode

Laura McLaws Helms interviews Sally Ann Parsons, a renowned costume maker in the Broadway and theatre world.

Fashion and cultural historian Laura McLaws Helms speaks with Sally Ann Parsons. Sally Ann Parson is the grande dame of the Broadway, dance and theatre costume worlds. Now in her 80s, she has been involved with the theatre since she was a small child—first as an actress, then as a costume designer for downtown dance troupes and ballets and, since 1980, the owner of a costume workshop. Parson-Meares is a Premier Broadway costume shop known for its excellence in artistic and fantastic costumes, and still after 45 years, New York City’s largest. Among the many Broadway hits for which she has supervised costume-making are “Hamilton,” “The Lion King,” “Aladdin,” “Wicked,” “Cats,” “Phantom of the Opera,” and “Starlight Express.” Additionally, Parson-Meares has created costumes for the Metropolitan Opera and other opera houses, numerous ballets, Disney on Ice, and the Rockettes. In 2016, Sally Ann was the first costume maker to receive a Tony Honor. To sign up for my newsletter, visit https://laurakitty.substack.com/ For full show notes, episode resources, video clips, and a slideshow of photographs, head to https://sighswhispers.com/episode-43-sally-ann-parsons Produced and hosted by…

People in this episode

Host: Laura McLaws Helms

Guest: Sally Ann Parsons

Topics covered

  • costume design
  • theatre
  • Broadway
  • fashion history

Keywords

  • costume workshop
  • Tony Honor
  • Broadway hits
  • Metropolitan Opera

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Parson-Meares

Books & works: Hamilton, The Lion King, Aladdin, Wicked, Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Starlight Express, a Tony Honor

Places: New York City’s

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