Samford alumna Teale Dvornik ’12 returned to campus Feb. 3 to share her journey from costume design student to Broadway professional and published author. Dvornik spoke in Harrison Theatre about her new book, History Hiding Around Broadway: Backstage Lore, Secrets & Surprises from New York’s Famed Theater District.
After graduating from Samford with a degree in costume design, Dvornik moved to New York to pursue her goal of working on Broadway. Since 2015, she has worked as a costumer and dresser on major productions, including Wicked. She currently serves as a dresser at the Metropolitan Opera, where she manages and maintains costumes and assists performers before and during live performances.
Her fascination with life beyond the curtain led her to launch The Backstage Blonde in 2017. What began as a blog documenting backstage experiences has grown into a broader brand focused on sharing Broadway history. Dvornik now leads independent walking tours through Manhattan’s theater district, connecting Broadway’s rich theatrical legacy to the city’s broader history while sharing insights from her decade-long career in the industry.
Her new book uncovers hidden stories, long-standing traditions and architectural details of Broadway’s historic theaters, drawing from her years of backstage experience and extensive research in New York’s theater district. The project has already earned national praise, including a review from Booklist calling it, “Like Tony Award-winning plays themselves, Dvornik’s standing-ovation worthy history will leave readers shouting, ‘Brava!’”
During her visit, Dvornik spoke candidly with students about navigating creative careers, emphasizing the importance of humility and growth.
“You never want to be the most intelligent person in the room,” she said. “You should always surround yourself with people who challenge you and inspire you to grow.”
She also encouraged students to pursue ideas even when they do not feel fully prepared.
“Create now and edit later. Just start,” she said. “If it is not uncomfortable at first, you do not have any room to grow.”
The dean of Samford’s School of the Arts praised Dvornik’s visit and time with students. “Teale’s evening with our students was inspiring and practical,” Dean Beaumont said. “She demonstrated how creativity, perseverance and curiosity can shape a meaningful career in the arts while reminding our students that their Samford education can take them anywhere.”
Dvornik also served as a judge for this year’s Step Sing competition, returning to a tradition she once participated in as a founding member of competition group Ignite in 2012. She described judging as fast-paced and detail-oriented, using her creative side to evaluate across multiple categories.
Her visit provided students with a glimpse into Broadway history while offering practical insight into building a career grounded in curiosity, collaboration and continuous learning. For more on Dvornik’s work, follow her on Instagram at @thebackstageblonde or visit thebackstageblonde.com.
