“During my time as a student at UCB, I was handed a list of occupations of former history majors” recently noted History alumna, Paloma Young ’01. “I don't remember Costume Designer being on the list, but I was inspired by the staggering breadth the list represented.” Just more than a decade after graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, Young demonstrates the scope of a Cal History degree. In June, the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League named her the 2012 Tony Award winner for Best Costume Design in a Play. Young worked on the production of “Peter and the Starcatcher,” which appeared on Broadway’s Brooks Atkinson Theatre.
A San Marcos, CA native, Young focused on American social history while at UC Berkeley and as a senior earned a History Honors Research Grant. She also worked on UC Berkeley productions of “A Perfect Ganesh,” “Quick Then End: Beckett Shorts,” “Soulmate,” “Talbot’s Box” and “The Dante Project.” Young went on to earn her Masters of Fine Art in Theatre and Dance from UC San Diego where she also served as a lecturer.
Following a stint working on several West coast productions, Young joined the company of “Peter and the Starcatcher.” The play, based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, is a whimsical prequel to Peter Pan. In May 2012, Walt Disney Pictures announced plans for a film adaptation of “Peter and the Starcatcher.”
Young felt her degree in History from UC Berkeley would allow her opportunities to pursue her passion and she was right. “I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life when I graduated in '01,” said Young “but I was at least certain that I had the background to do just about anything.”
Paloma Young Website
Paloma Young Tony Award Acceptance Speech
-Alex Coughlin, History Staff
