Qween Jean costumed Cats: The Jellicle Ball and Liberation, two very different Broadway productions. Cats presents ballroom-culture fantasia with elaborate costuming across two acts, while Liberation is a grounded 1970s Ohio period piece about women navigating second-wave feminism. Jean’s work led to two Tony nominations in her first year eligible. The nominations are historic because she is the first out Black trans woman nominated in either of the Tonys’ costume categories. She describes the productions as requiring different approaches to design, characterization, and fabrication skills. She became involved with Cats after seeing a call for storytellers and community members bridging ballroom and theater, then meeting with key creative leaders to develop the work.
"Jean's nominations are historic: She is the first out Black trans woman to be nominated in either of the Tonys' costume categories. Whether or not she wins either category (and she is absolutely a contender to win both), this Tony season is Qween Jean's moment."
"Cats is a ballroom-culture fantasia, stuffed to the brim with stunning displays of costuming artistry across two acts of musical-theater excess. Liberation, meanwhile, is a grounded period piece following women in '70s Ohio navigating second-wave feminism."
"You made your Broadway debut this season and now you have two nominations. How are you feeling? As an artist, it is just truly tremendous to receive this acknowledgement in such a powerful way. Both productions are truly different, and I think that they feature different sets of understanding of design, characterization, and fabrication skills."
"How did you get involved with Cats? I saw a posting about a show that was bridging ballroom with theater and how they were looking for storytellers and folks in the community. I was like, "My God, this is for me." Very shortly later, I received a request to meet with Bill Rauch and Zhailon Levingston, and it was something that was really powerful."
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