Before and After: Peek Inside Celeb Designer Mike Harrison's Broadway Dressing Rooms for Lupita, Josh Groban and More

Designer Mike Harrison takes PEOPLE backstage and gives a glimpse of his clients' transformed spaces

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Dressing Room Renovations

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Courtesy Mike Harrison

Interior designer Mike Harrison has made a name for himself in showbiz, redecorating celebrities' homes and even transforming their on-set homes-away-from-home into comfortable retreats. Here, the design wiz shares the dressing rooms he's revamped for some of Broadway's biggest stars.

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Leslie Odom Jr. — Before

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Courtesy Monica Simoes; Inset: ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty

"Leslie was my very first dressing room," says Harrison of the Tony-winning Hamilton star's quarters. "After a brief discussion about the space, I set out to create a colonial-inspired lounge where Leslie could shut the door before and after each performance and transport his guests to an intimate setting, worthy of a glass of whiskey."

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Leslie Odom Jr. — After

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Courtesy Monica Simoes

"The textured wallpaper on the back wall set the tone for the room and added a depth to the space while also tipping the hat to the beautiful wooden set at the Richard Rogers Theater," says Harrison.

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Jessie Mueller — Before

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Courtesy Mike Harrison; Inset: Walter McBride/WireImage

"I wanted to create a warm environment for her to take off her apron each night after performing and just relax," says Harrison of the Tony-winning Waitress actress.

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Jessie Mueller — After

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Courtesy Mike Harrison

"Jessie's aesthetic became a mixture of traditional lines with a pop of color and more modern prints," says Harrison of the colorful room. "The traditional mint green sofa was transformed with the vibrant coral, and yellow pillows and the chevron rug lightened up the space and added a subtle modernity."

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Jesse Tyler Ferguson — Before

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Courtesy Mike Harrison; Inset: Phillip Faraone/WireImage

"For Jesse's dressing room, I wanted to create a cozy lounge/library with a southwestern influence that reflected Mr. Ferguson's love of patterns and textures," says Harrison of the Fully Committed actor.

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Jesse Tyler Ferguson — After

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Courtesy Mike Harrison

"By painting a large hunter green square behind the couch, I was able to frame out the perfect space for a gallery wall," Harrison says. "By layering rugs and filling up the walls, I was able to create an eclectic and cozy space for Jesse to prepare, entertain and relax."

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Lupita Nyong'o — Before

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Courtesy Mike Harrison; Inset: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty

"For Lupita's room, I wanted to create a vibrant and layered receiving room that reflected her brilliant taste in African art but paired the pieces with a modern and playful environment," Harrison says of the Oscar winner's behind-the-scenes space at Eclipsed.

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Lupita Nyong'o — After

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Courtesy Mike Harrison

"Using a carved bench as the coffee table added that worldly effect while still being spatially smart for a dressing room," Harrison says.

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Sean Hayes — Before

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Courtesy Mike Harrison; Inset: Doherty/Getty

"For Sean's room, I wanted to have the space feel like an extension of his home in L.A. which had recently been featured in Traditional Home magazine," Harrison says.

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Sean Hayes — After

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Courtesy Mike Harrison

"The layered neutrals added interest in the small space but still kept it clean and inviting," Harrison says. "Adding an antique wooden chair added extra seating for the space and allowed for a juxtaposition against the more graphic pillows."

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Sara Bareilles — Before

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Courtesy Mike Harrison; Inset: John Lamparski/WireImage

"As an opening night gift to her brilliant band for the musical Waitress, Sara asked me to create a space where they could relax and enjoy a coffee, a cocktail and a much needed break," Harrison says of the room for Bareilles — who received a Best Original Score nod for Waitress — and her crew.

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Sara Bareilles — After

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Courtesy Mike Harrison

"I wanted to create a hip coffee shop vibe, and grounded the whole space with this vintage rug that virtually became wall to wall carpeting," Harris says. "The deep rich colors also accented the instruments. In a small space like this, it was important to think vertically to draw the eye up and create an illusion of more space but more importantly, more function."

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Cynthia Erivo — Before

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Courtesy Mike Harrison; Inset: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty

"For Cynthia's receiving room, I wanted to create a soothing, yet feminine space for her to entertain guests, have a sip of tea, do some work or take a nap," says Harrison of the Tony-winning The Color Purple star.

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Cynthia Erivo — After

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Courtesy Mike Harrison

"Adding a cream rug and layering several neutrals added a ton of interest," says Harrison, "but also allowed the wall color to sing and be the star of the room, much like Ms. Erivo is eight times a week on the stage of the Jacobs Theater."

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Josh Groban — Before

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Courtesy Mike Harrison; Inset: Brian Ach/Getty

"For Josh's room, I wanted to combine his eclectic sensibilities and create a cohesive design for the space," Harrison says of the singer, who in September made his Broadway debut in The Great Comet.

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Josh Groban — After

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Home Goods/Matt Harrington

"He enjoys the clean lines of Scandinavian furniture, the coziness of a winter cabin, the whimsy of a tree house and influences of folk art and midcentury pieces," says Harrison, who worked with HomeGoods to gussy up the space. "I also brought in a Sputnik pendant to capture the opulence of Russian design reflected in the set of his Broadway debut."

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