Karsen is a passionate and driven costume designer, technician and educator who has designed and constructed costumes throughout her career for both professional and educational theaters throughout the country. She has spent her last two years working as the costume design fellow at Shenandoah University, and she is thrilled to be staying in Winchester for her first summer at Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre.   

During her time as Shenandoah University’s costume design fellow, she designed costumes for various Glaize Studio Theatre productions, including 12 Angry Jurors; People, Places and Things; and She Kills Monsters. Some of Karsen’s recent professional design credits include Escape to Margaritaville at The Barn Theatre in Michigan, The Taming at Lean Ensemble Theatre, and Intimate Apparel at Maryland Ensemble Theatre. 

This upcoming fall, Karsen will be starting a new position as the assistant professor of costume design at Wake Forest University, where she looks forward to continuing her pedagogical and artistic pursuits. When she is not drawing, stitching, or painting, Karsen can be found doing crossword puzzles and caring for her two very dramatic cats.