COSTUME DESIGNER · TECHNICIAN · HISTORIAN

             “All the world’s a stage … and one man in his time plays many parts.”

                                                                           —Shakespeare

“Throughout my lifetime I have been given an opportunity to play many parts, 

                                      quite often and on occasion, all at one time.”

                                                                   —Howard Vincent Kurtz

I have an extensive and diversified career in costumes, which involves professional design, academic teaching, and museum curation. I hold a BFA in Technical Theater with a concentration in Costumes from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and an MFA in Theatre Arts with a dual concentration in Costume Design and Technology from Pennsylvania State University. For several years, I created costumes for Broadway, Hollywood films, and television. I am Professor Emeritus of Theater at George Mason University, where I served as the Resident Costume Designer and Head of the Design Tech program. During that time, I was also Associate Curator of Costumes and Textiles at the  Hillwood  Estate, Museum and Garden.  I am a member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829, United States Institute of Theater Technology, and a Fellow of the Costume Society of America. In recognition of my professional work, I was honored to receive the Helen Hayes Outstanding Costume Design Award in Washington, DC. 

NEWS: Howard will be receiving 

The 2026 Distinguished Alumnus Award from PennWest University - Clarion