Behind the Scenes of The Lion King - Inside the Costume Bunker of the North American Tour

As Disney’s classic musical The Lion King continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its vibrant designs and enchanting stage magic, a hidden world behind the scenes plays a crucial role in bringing the spectacle to life. When the North American tour arrived in Vancouver, Jodessa Presler, the costume supervisor for the show, allowed our journalists an exclusive peek into the heart of the production—a backstage area affectionately known as the “bunker.”

Jodessa Presler explains that some performers often wears three puppets on their body simultaneously. “These are incredibly sophisticated pieces,” she says. “Actors and crew members are always moving in and out, creating a unique rhythm. We have 24 workstations here at all times, constantly prepared for costume changes, puppet adjustments, and accessory organization." The bunker is like a living organism, always in motion.

Inside this high-energy space, every detail is handled with precision. Technicians carefully apply the tiniest specks of paint to masks, while others adjust feathers, beads, and nearly invisible eyelashes. Every item is meticulously labeled, archived, and assigned—no detail is ever overlooked.

In the adjoining room, members of the cast rehearse the show’s unmistakable vocals. The sound of the ensemble singing the iconic music fills the bunker—soft at first, then swelling into a warm, familiar roar that reverberates through the walls.

“In those moments,” Tressler says, “they're singing this iconic song and you really get the comfort of making this happen every single night.”

For audiences, The Lion King is a spectacle of light, music, and movement. But for Jodessa Presler and the backstage team, it is also a daily act of devotion—an art form built from discipline, imagination, and a profound respect for the story they help bring to life.