Karen Brewster

Karen Brewster is an Associate Professor of Theatre at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) where she serves as resident costume designer, costume shop supervisor, and teaches courses in Theatrical Design (Basic and Costume), Stagecraft, Stage Makeup and Theatre History. Ms. Brewster has been a faculty member of ETSU for over 10 years where she has designed costumes for over 45 ETSU productions and designed over 50 shows for Virginia’s Barter Theater including Guys and Dolls, Cabaret, and Fiddler on the Roof. She earned her MFA in Costume, Makeup, and Mask Design from Michigan State University.

Melissa Shafer is a Scenic and Lighting Designer and Technical Director and teaches theater design and production at ETSU. She serves on the board of directors of the Tennessee Theatre Association. She is an active member in TTA, SETC and The United States Institute for Theatre Technology. Her freelance design credits include work with the Barter Theatre in Virginia; Manbites Dog Theatre in North Carolina; The Civic Theatre of Central Florida; among many others. She has also done freelance production work for such companies as The Mid-America Dance Company and The National Black Touring Circuit. Ms. Shafer received her MFA in Theatre Design from Southern Illinois University.