Karen Brewster
Department Chair & Professor
- brewster@etsu.edu
- 423-439-5827
- Gilbreath Hall 214B- Effective Fall 2023
Karen Brewster serves the ETSU Department of Theatre and Dance as Chair and teaches courses in theatre history and theatrical design. Karen is an alumna of ETSU, and she considers East Tennessee home for many reasons—most importantly because she studied under the esteemed Daryl and Bud Frank while earning her undergraduate degree. Karen went on to earn her MFA in Costume Design from Michigan State University, followed by years of working in professional theatre companies from Nebraska to Maine. In fact, she developed her career significantly at Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA as costume shop supervisor, costume craftsperson, and costume designer. After this important time as a professional artist in regional professional theatres, Karen joined the faculty at ETSU in 2000.
Karen is active in professional organizations, serving, for example, as a site visitor
for National Association for Schools of Theatre (NAST). She is also a co-author, with
colleague Melissa Shafer, of the text Fundamentals of Theatrical Design: A Guide to the Basics of Scenic, Costume, and Lighting Design published by Allworth Press.