Joanne “Joany” Cole has been designing, constructing and wearing costumes for over 30 years. With an AAS in Fashion Design, she worked in the theater and fashion industries in Arizona as a Spec Technician, Marker Maker, Stitcher, First Hand, and Drafter/Draper. In addition to her time employed with University of Arizona, Phoenix College, Arizona Textiles, Arizona State University Lyric Opera, and Arizona Ballet making clothing and theatrical costumes, Joany has also enjoyed costuming at the Arizona Renaissance Festival, Phoenix Fan Fusion, with the 501st Stormtrooper Legion, and with the Society for Creative Anachronism… just for the fun of it!
Before relocating to the Bay Area in the fall of 2023, Joany supervised the Costume Shop at Yavapai College in Northern Arizona, overseeing productions including: Phantom of the Opera (2019,) It’s a Wonderful Life (2020,) Chicago (2021,) Hello, Dolly (2022) featuring Toni Tennille, and Jane Eyre (2023.) For the neighboring Suze’s Prescott Center for the Arts, Joany costumed Willy Wonka Jr (2021) and Man of La Mancha (2023.) Joany is most proud of her work as adjunct faculty at Yavapai College teaching Costume Construction and Introduction to Costume, Hair and Makeup. Her passion for sharing the love of creation is contagious; and the community that costuming fosters is her highest priority.