Rueben Echoles headshot

Rueben Echoles

Multidisciplinary Theater Maker

Rueben (he/him) is an accomplished producer, playwright, director, choreographer, illustrator, costume, and wig designer. He has had the pleasure of working with many theater companies across the country and in the Chicagoland area such as ETA, Black Ensemble, Mmpact, Congo Square, Refuge, Porchlight Music Theater, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Cleveland Playhouse, Olney Theatre, Skylight Milwaukee, Writers Theater, Theo Ubique, Invictus, The Goodman Theater, Phoenix Theater Company and Studio One Dance Theater. 

His most recent projects include, Associate Wig Designer for The Color Purple at The Goodman Theatre, and Wig Designer and Department Head for She Who Dared at Chicago Opera Theatre, as well as Costume Design for You Can’t Fake the Funk which was featured at The National Black Theater Festival and earned Rueben A Joseph Jefferson award for best Costume Design in a Large Theater. Rueben has also designed costumes for four episodes for WTTW’s Chicago Stories, two episodes of which (Ida B. Wells and The History of Gospel) have won Emmys for Best Production. Rueben would like to Thank Christ, his Savior for everything!

Featured Artworks

  •  A grid of images all featuring different styled wigs for theater productions. Ruebens wigs, 23/24 Wig Design
  •  A close up of a costume on stage. It is a white pant and matching top with stylized patterned sleeves and collar. The performer also has a yellow wrap that they are holding on to. Fela at Olney, 2023 Costume Design
  •  Rueben Echoles artwork Lion In Winter at Court Theater, 2023 Wig Design
  •  Rueben Echoles artwork The Color Purple at Phoenix Theater Company, 2022 Costume Design and Choreography
  •  A production still from Fat Ham. Two performers are standing in a backyard with the open view of a living room. One performer is wearing a pink dress and black belt with suspenders. The other is wearing a black tank top, pants and cowboy boots. Fat Ham at Cleveland Playhouse, 2025 Wig Design