Above: Leeanne Deaver

Western Carolina University student Leeanne Deaver will intern with five-time Tony Award-winning costume designer William Ivey Long on Broadway this summer.

Deaver, who is originally from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., but attended Pisgah High School in Canton, will graduate from WCU in May with a bachelor’s degree in costume design. She will be working in Long’s studio in New York from June through September. Her duties will include procuring swatches from fabric stores in the city and note-taking during fitting sessions. Long currently has three shows running on Broadway, “Pal Joey,” “Chicago” and “Nine to Five.”

“I am just honored and excited to have the opportunity to experience something this amazing,” Deaver said. “Learning under someone with the level of success he has will help shape my future career and expand my knowledge. I simply cannot express how this amazing experience will affect my career and my life.”

Deaver learned of the internship through Glenda Hensley, a visiting professor of stage and screen at WCU. Deaver and Long first met two years ago when Hensley took students to one of his exhibits at the Cameron Art Museum in Chapel Hill. Long has visited WCU to speak to students on several occasions at Hensley’s invitation. Hensley contacted Long’s associate, Donald Sanders, in an effort to help Deaver secure the internship post-graduation.

“After talking with Glenda, Mr. Sanders said to send my resume his way for review,” Deaver said. “After looking it over, he quickly responded with a yes.”

For more information about Western Carolina University’s department of stage and screen, call (828) 227-7491.

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Last Modified: Friday, May 8, 2009