The Christmas season at Alliance Theatre brings the magic of A Christmas Carol to life, lighting up the Atlanta theater scene with warmth, joy, and timeless tradition. Every year, the stunning costumes, designed by Mariann Verheyen and Laury Conley, play a crucial role in guiding the audience through the emotional depths of the story through their work.

Over the years, Verheyen and Conley have sifted through over 700 fabric swatches and designed more than 200 pieces that have defined the look of the production. Each costume helps convey not only the time period but also the characters’ emotional journeys. From Ebenezer Scrooge’s worn, solitary dressing gown to the vibrant, festive robes of the Ghost of Christmas Present, the costumes elevate the story, enhancing its themes of redemption, love, and family.

The synergy between costume, set, and lighting design is key to the production’s emotional impact. The set, with its cobbled streets, flickering lanterns, and snow-dusted rooftops, provides a rich, textured backdrop that makes the costumes come alive. Lighting design further heightens this effect, using cool blue tones to evoke Scrooge’s lonely chambers and warm golden hues during Fezziwig’s festive party scene. Fabrics like wool, velvet, lace, and cotton add authenticity, helping the audience feel as though they’ve stepped into the world of Dickens’ London.

“Each year, we gather the scale and placement of the new cast members, and what’s on the page is only the beginning—it evolves from there…Some dresses may take up to 30 hours to create, while frock coats can take anywhere from 35 to 60 hours.”

Creating these costumes, Mariann says, is like working with ever-shifting clay. “Each year, we gather the scale and placement of the new cast members, and what’s on the page is only the beginning—it evolves from there.” One challenge they often face is the fluctuating cast, which means that sometimes costumes designed for previous performers need to be altered or redesigned for comfortability and confidence within the role. “Some dresses may take up to 30 hours to create, while frock coats can take anywhere from 35 to 60 hours,” Conley expressed.

Despite the challenges, Verheyen and Conley’s meticulous attention to detail, collaboration, and trust with their team ensures that each costume helps drive the emotional narrative. Their work is a testament to the power of women in theater design, breathing new life into a classic tale. Their costumes don’t just reflect the world of A Christmas Carol—they help shape it, making this beloved story even more unforgettable for every audience that experiences it.

A Christmas Carol runs on the Coca-Cola Stage November 15 through December 24, 2025 – learn more.