Karsen is a passionate and driven costume designer, technician, and educator based in the East coast, who has crafted costumes throughout her career for regional, educational, and community theatres.  Karsen is currently starting in her first semester as the Assistant Professor of Costume Design at Wake Forest University, where she has has been able to further build upon the various theatre courses she has taught throughout her pedagogical endeavors.  She has a particular passion for teaching courses in costume design/construction, dye & craft work, theatrical theory, and puppetry.  Prior to beginning her work at WFU, she spent her prior two years working at Shenandoah University as their Costume Design Fellow through their post-MFA teaching fellowship, where she taught courses, managed the costume shop, and designed multiple main stage productions. Some of Karsen’s recent professional design credits include The Fiddler on the Roof at Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre, Escape to Margaritaville at The Barn Theatre in Michigan, The Taming at Lean Ensemble Theatre, and Intimate Apparel at Maryland Ensemble Theatre.  When she is not drawing, stitching, or painting, Karsen can be found doing crossword puzzles and caring for her two very dramatic cats.