About Me


Howard Vincent Kurtz (BFA; Clarion University of Pennsylvania, MFA; Pennsylvania State University) is Professor Emeritus, School of Theater, George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. He served as resident costume designer for Mason’s professional theater company, Theater of the First Amendment and was head of the Design and Technical Theater program for twenty-five years.

During his tenure, Professor Kurtz taught courses in Fundamentals of Production, Costume Crafts, Seminar in Technical Theater, History of Fashion and Dress, Costume Design, Principles of Design, Makeup Design, Millinery and Wig Design, Costume Pattern Drafting and Draping, Puppetry, Musical Theater History, Seminar in the Major, Advanced Costume Design Construction and Theatrical History, an introduction to the theater arts for non-majors. Professor Kurtz was honored to receive the George Mason University Outstanding Excellence in Teaching Award, OSCAR Mentoring Excellence Award, Fenwick Library Fellowship for Research Award, and numerous Outstanding Service awards. 

Professor Kurtz directed, designed sets, costumes, hair, and makeup for over 75 productions for the School of Theater, School of Dance, and the School of Music at George Mason University. In recognition of his service and with the support of his colleagues and friends, Howard established a scholarship in his name. The Howard Vincent Kurtz Theater Endowed Scholarship is awarded annually and supports outstanding undergraduate theater students pursuing a concentration in the areas of design and technical theater.

Howard’s previous experience includes several years in New York City, creating costumes for Broadway, Hollywood films, and television. As a member of the United Scenic Artists Local 829, Costume Division, He has designed costumes at many regional and local theaters in the Washington, D.C. metro area, including Arena Stage, Olney Theatre Center, Theater of the First Amendment, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. Professor Kurtz was honored to receive the Helen Hayes Outstanding Costume Design Award for his work on Dream of a Common Language. Howard continues to design costumes at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater and the Department of Theater and Dance at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.

In addition to his academic and professional career, Professor Kurtz was the Associate Curator of Costumes and Textiles at the Hillwood Museum and Gardens in Washington D.C., the former residence of American socialite, Marjorie Merriweather Post. During his twenty years at the museum, Howard curated four exhibitions that highlighted the Post family costumes; Invitation to the Ball: Marjorie Post’s Fancy Dress Costumes of the 1920s, Wedding Belles: Three Generations of Post Family Dress, Ingenue to Icon: 70 years of fashion from the collection of Marjorie Merriweather Post, and A Perfect Fit: A Fashion Designer & His Ideal Client.

Howard’s publications include Ingenue to Icon: 70 years of Fashion from the Collection of Marjorie Merriweather Post, a biographical review and exhibition catalog of Mrs. Post's costume collection. Additionally, Howard co-authored an international publication for the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague on the life of Czech American designer entitled Oldřich Rosenbaum/Oldric Royce: A Life in Fashion in Prague and New York.

Professor Kurtz is a member of the United Scenic Artists Costume Division, as well as the United States Institute of Theater Technology, where he served as Vice Commissioner for Costume Symposia & Study Tours, within the Costume Design & Technology Commission and participated in several panels at the annual USITT conferences. He has been an active member of the Costume Society of America, serving on the Board of Directors, and also as Treasurer, and President of the Mid-Atlantic Region. Additionally, on the nation level, Howard has been a member of the CSA Endowment Board, Board of Directors, and chaired the Endowment Committee. Currently, he is the Treasurer of the National Executive Committee for CSA.

Howard is employed at The Sewing Studio in Maitland, Florida where he teaches classes on flat pattern drafting and manages the pattern inventory for the store. He volunteers in the Collections Division at The Maitland Art & History Museums. Additionally, Professor Kurtz also lectures on topics related to historical dress throughout the East Coast.

  • Professional

    Academic

  • EDUCATION

    • 1989 – 1990

    • Pennsylvania State University
    • MFA – Theatre Arts
    • Dual Concentration: Costume Design and Costume Production

      1986

    • Clarion University of Pennsylvania
    • BFA – Technical Theatre
    • Concentration: Costuming

    EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

    ACADEMIC TEACHING

      1993 – 2018

    • George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
    • Professor
    • Teach courses in Theatrical Medium, Costume Design, Costume History, Draping and Drafting, Design Concepts, Seminar in the Major, Advanced Design and Construction, and Makeup

      2000 – 2007

    • Marymount University, Arlington, VA
    • Adjunct Professor
    • Teach courses in Survey of Fashion, Clothing Construction, and Apparel Design III – Advanced Draping

      2000 – 2004

    • Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, NY
    • Instructor
    • Taught adult summer session classes, From Page to Stage, Acting the Part, The Director’s Concept, and Dressing the Part

      1994 – 1999

    • American University, Washington, DC
    • Adjunct Professor
    • Taught undergraduate level courses in Scene and Costume Design

      1987 – 1991

    • Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, PA
    • Instructor
    • Taught summer session classes in Costume Design and Construction

      1986 – 1989

    • Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
    • Graduate Assistant
    • Full responsibility for teaching undergraduate classes in Costume Craft and Design

    PROFESSIONAL COSTUME DESIGN

      1995 – Present

    • Member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829

      2001 – 2010

    • Olney Theatre Center, Olney, MD
    • Resident Costume Designer
    • Designed 13 productions

      1994 – 2012

    • Theatre of the First Amendment, Fairfax VA
    • Designed 18 productions

      2007

    • RepStage, Columbia, VA
    • Designed 1 production

      2005 – 2006

    • Metrostage, Alexandria, VA
    • Designed 3 productions

      2004

    • Washington Shakespeare Company, Arlington, VA
    • Designed 1 production

      2001

    • Arena Stage, Washington, DC
    • Designed 1 production

      1996 – 2000

    • Kennedy Center Education Division, Washington, DC
    • Designed 3 productions and 3 remounts

      1991 – 1999

    • Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Washington, DC
    • Designed 10 productions and 2 remounts

      1989 - 2002

    • Fredericksburg Theater Company, Fredericksburg, VA
    • Designed 2 productions

      1996

    • Sherman Productions, Rockville, MD
    • Designed ABC after-school television movie special ELI’S COMING

    ACADEMIC PRODUCTION DESIGN

      1994 – 2010

    • George Mason University Players, Fairfax, VA
    • Designed 18 productions

      1993 – 1998

    • George Mason University Dance Department, Fairfax VA
    • Designed 45 dance pieces

      1992 – 2001

    • American University, Washington, DC
    • Designed 10 productions

      1984 – 1992

    • Clarion University, Clarion, PA
    • Designed 30 productions as a student and returning designer

      1987 – 1989

    • Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
    • Designed 3 productions during graduate school

    COMMUNITY PRODUCTION DESIGN

      2000 – 2005

    • Little Theatre of Alexandria, Alexandria, VA
    • Designed 5 productions

    COSTUME SUPERVISORY EXPERIENCE

      1993 – 1999

    • George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
    • Costume Director/Resident Designer
    • Responsible for eleven mainstage and six workshop productions per season
    • Supervised 12 – 15 professional staff and students per season
    • Primary liaison for guest designers, students, and faculty with dance, music, and theater departments and professional theater companies
    • Planned academic calendar and prepared weekly work schedules

      1991 – 1993

    • Shakespeare Theatre, Washington, DC
    • Male Draper/Tailor
    • Supervised costume construction team of 5 working in various historical periods

      1991

    • Harlequin Dinner Theatre, Rockville, MD
    • Head Draper
    • Instructed staff of 5 in women and men’s construction of period costumes for musical comedies

      1987 – 1991

    • Clarion University Summer Musical Theatre, Clarion, PA
    • Costume Shop Supervisor
    • Performed all aspects of costume production
    • Performed all responsibilities for pattern drafting and construction
    • Supervised staff of 10 students

      1986

    • University of Rochester Summer Theater, Rochester NY
    • Costume Shop Manager
    • Performed all aspects of costume production
    • Supervised staff of 12 students and volunteers

      1984

    • Summerfun Summer Theater, Montclair, NJ
    • Costumer
    • Supervised workroom staff of 8 students and volunteers
    • Supervised wardrobe staff of 8 students and volunteers

    CONSTRUCTION/TAILORING EXPERIENCE

      1993

    • Centre Stage, University Park, PA
    • Head Tailor
    • Responsible for 16 male American Colonial period costumes

      1992

    • Arena Stage, Washington, DC
    • Freelance Tailor
    • Patterned 3 male outfits for Restoration comedy

      1992

    • Center Stage, Baltimore, MD
    • Menswear Tailor
    • Responsible for 12 sets of quick-change country western costumes

      1989 – 1991

    • Studio Costume Shop, New York, NY
    • Tailor
    • Responsible for suit alterations of orchestra members in LIZA at Radio City

    CONSTRUCTION/DRAPING EXPERIENCE

      1998

    • Arena Stage, Washington, DC
    • Freelance Draper
    • Patterned 4 women’s outfits for a period drama

      1991

    • Hartford Stage, Hartford, CT
    • Draper
    • Responsible for creation of multi-layered women’s clothing

      1990 – 2001

    • EuroCo Costume Shop, New York, NY
    • Draper/On-site Alterations
    • Created costume patterns for various Broadway productions and Hollywood films

      1989 – 1991

    • National Shakespeare Company, New York, NY
    • Draper/Costume Construction
    • Constructed period costumes for repertory company

    1989 – 1991

    • Studio Costume Shop, New York, NY
    • Draper
    • Duplicated original costumes for cast replacements of Broadway and touring companies

      1989 - 1990

    • Michael-Jon Costume Shop, New York, NY
    • First Hand
    • Duplicated and resized patterns for theme parks and industrials

      1989

    • Juilliard School, Costume Shop, New York, NY
    • Pattern-Maker
    • Created patterns and worked with a construction team of 3 stitchers to create costumes for dance, opera, and theater

      1986

    • Centre Stage, University Park, PA
    • Draper
    • Responsible for 8 female 1930’s cruise costumes

      1986

    • Centre Stage, University Park, PA
    • Craft Artisan
    • Responsible for 10 male fantasy costumes

    WIG STYLIST EXPERIENCE

      2000

    • Circle in the Square, New York, NY
    • Wig Stylist
    • Responsible for maintaining 9 Restoration comedy wigs

      1989 - 1991

    • Saturday Night Live, New York, NY
    • Wig Stylist
    • Responsible for styling character wigs for television

      1986

    • Centre Stage, University Park, PA
    • Wig Stylist
    • Responsible for maintaining 13 period and fantasy wigs

    MUSEUM EXPERIENCE

      1997 – Present

    • Hillwood Museum & Gardens, Washington, DC
    • Associate Curator of Costumes and Textiles
    • Conduct archival research and catalog findings
    • Coordinate preservation and display procedures
    • Present public lectures throughout the year

    MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS

    • Ingenue to Icon: 70 years of fashion from the collection of Marjorie Merrweather Post
    • June 2, 2015 – January 17, 2016
    • Hillwood Museum & Gardens, Washington, DC
    • Wedding Belles: Bridal Fashions from the Marjorie Merriweather Post Family, 1874-1958.
    • June 18, 2011 – January 16, 2012
    • Hillwood Museum & Gardens, Washington, DC
    • An Invitation to the Ball: Mrs. Post's Fancy Dress Costumes of the 1920's.
    • March 14 – July 12, 2009
    • Hillwood Museum & Gardens, Washington, DC

    PRESENTATIONS/WORKSHOPS (selected list)

    • Behind the Seams: The dress collection at Hillwood. Lecture, September 2010
    • Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, Washington, DC
    • New York Luxury Department Stores. Lecture, June 2010
    • Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, Washington, DC
    • Fashion Research “Post” and Present. Lecture, May 2010
    • Arts at Mason Annual Board Meeting, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
    • The Essential Ingredients of Theater. Lecture, May 2010
    • Great Performances at Mason: Olympia Dukakis as ROSE, George Mason Univeristy, Fairfax, VA
    • Elegant French Fashions, 1900-1950. Lecture, April 2010
    • Hillwood, Estate Museum & Gardens, Washington, DC
    • All the World's a Stage: Costuming Shakespeare. Lecture, November 2009
    • Faculty Arts Board, George Mason Univeristy, VA
    • The 1950s and Oldric Royce of New York. Lecture, November 2009
    • Corcoran Masters Program, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, Washington, DC
    • The Fashions of Hillwood and the Art of Design. Lecture, July 2009
    • Westminster at Lake Ridge, Alexandria, VA
    • Masterpieces in Fabric - Art Deco Fashions of the 1920s. Lecture, June 2009
    • Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, Washington, DC
    • An Invitation to the Ball. Lecture, March 2009
    • Public Exhibition Opening, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, Washington, DC
    • Mrs. Post's Dressing Style at Hillwood. Lecture, September 2008
    • Hotel Tourism & Relations Lecture, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, Washington, DC
    • Fashions of the Roaring 20s. Lecture, February 2009
    • Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, Washington, DC
    • Children’s Clothing at Chautauqua. Lecture, June 2006
    • Chautauqua History Lecture Series, Chautauqua Institute, Chautauqua, NY
    • From Page to Stage. Lecture, April – May 2006
    • Osher Lifelong Learning and Arlington Learning in Retirement, Fairfax and Arlington, VA
    • The Costume Designer’s Search for Inspiration. Lecture, November 2005
    • Fenwick Fellows Fall Lecture Series, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
    • Images of Dress at Chautauqua. Lecture, July 2005
    • Chautauqua History Lecture Series, Chautauqua Institute, Chautauqua, NY
    • Dressing in the Style of Art Deco. Lecture, August 2005
    • Hillwood Museum and Gardens, Washington, DC
    • Ready-to-wear in the U.S.A. Lecture, October 2004
    • Arlington Leaning in Retirement Institute Arlington Public Libraries, Arlington, VA
    • A Liberal Dose of Costume. Panel/Lecture, March 2004
    • United States Institute of Theater Technology, Long Beach, CA
    • Dress for Success! Lecture, October 2001
    • Hillwood Museum and Gardens, Washington, DC
    • Tech Day. Events Coordinator, August 2000
    • Educational Theatre Association, George Mason University, Fairfax VA
    • Portfolio and Resume Workshop. Workshop presenter, February 2000
    • United States Institute of Theater Technology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
    • Historical Threads. Costume Symposium Coordinator, May 26 - 30, 1999
    • United States Institute of Theater Technology, Washington, DC
    • Marjorie by Day, Marjorie by Night. Lecture, February – April 1997
    • Two-part lecture on fashions worn by Marjorie Merriweather Post from 1903-1967
    • Hillwood Museum and Gardens, Washington, DC
    • A Walk in the Shop, from community to Broadway. Lecture, January 1996
    • United States Institute of Theater Technology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
    • The Costumer. Workshop Presenter, January 1995
    • United States Institute of Theater Technology, University of Maryland, University Park, MD

    PUBLICATIONS

    • A Novel Approach to Costume Design. USITT Handbook for educators, Fall 2006
    • Costume Designer’s Guide to Historical Resources. George Mason University, 2005
    • Reflections on The Heiress, a Resource Guide. George Mason University, 2003
    • Keeping her Toes Post Toasty. Preservation, v. 53 no. 1, January/February 2003, p. 67
    • Best Foot Forward. Hillwood Post, v. 2, no. 2, Fall/Winter 2002
    • Caps Off. Dramatics, v. 70, no. 8, April 1999, p. 20-24.
    • Basic Bags. Dramatics, v. 69, no. 3, November 1977, p. 32-36.
    • In the Bag. Dramatics, v. 68, no. 2, October 1996, p. 46-48.
    • Victoria’s Other Secret. Dramatics, v. 67, no. 5 January 1996, p. 23-25.
    • Putting on the Weight. Dramatics, v. 65, no. 3, November 1993, p. 40-43.
    • A Small Price to Pay for Period Footwear. Reprinted in Dramatics, v. 63, no. 9, May 1992

    HONORS/AWARDS

    PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

    • United Scenic Artists, Local 829, Costume Division
    • United States Institute of Theater Technology
    • Costume Society of America
    • Victorian Society of America

    • 2020

    • Costume Society of America
    • Costume Society Fellow

      2018

    • George Mason University
    • Professor Emeritus College of Visual and Performing Arts

      2018

    • Friends of Theater at George Mason University
    • Certificate of Appreciation

      2018

    • George Mason University
    • OSCAR Mentoring Excellence Award

      2016

    • George Mason University
    • Career Connection Faculty Award (Nomination)

      2013

    • United States Institute of Theatre Technology
    • USITT Research Fellowship Program

      2011 – 2013

    • George Mason University
    • Creative Award for Research Funding

      2011

    • Costume Society of America
    • Scholar’s Roundtable

      2005 – 2006

    • Little Theatre of Alexandria
    • The Pearl Mahaffey Award for Most Outstanding New Member

      2004

    • George Mason University
    • Fenwick Fellowship for Research

      2001

    • George Mason University
    • Excellence in Teaching Award

      1995

    • Washington Theatre Awards Society
    • Helen Hayes Outstanding Costume Design Award

      1995

    • American College Theatre Festival
    • Costume Design Award

      1994

    • Washington Theatre Awards Society
    • Nomination for Helen Hayes Outstanding Costume Design Award

      1993 – 1999

    • George Mason University
    • Exceptional Performance Award

      1992

    • United States Institute of Theater Technology
    • Nomination for Herb Gregg Outstanding Journal Article Award