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 has designed costumes for the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando Family Stage, and Opera Orlando in Florida.
In addition to his academic and professional career, Howard was the Associate Curator of Costumes and Textiles at the Hillwood Estate, Museum and Garden 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. These exhibits included, 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 and 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. Howard also co-authored an international publication for the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague on the life of Czech American designer Oldřich Rosenbaum, entitled Oldřich Rosenbaum/Oldric Royce: A Life in Fashion in Prague and New York.
Howard Vincent 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, Costume Design & Technology Commission, Costume Symposia & Study Tours, and participated in several panels at 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 national level, Howard has been a member of the CSA Endowment Board, Board of Directors, and chair of the Endowment Committee. Currently, he is the Co-chair of the 50th Anniversary Development Committee for CSA.
In Florida, Howard Vincent Kurtz continues his "costume presence" in the areas of academia, business, and audience engagement. He is an adjunct professor for the University of Central Florida, School of the Performing Arts, teaching and mentoring costume design students. Howard is employed at The Sewing Studio in Maitland, Florida where he teaches classes on garment construction, color theory, and sewing techniques. Howard maintains an inventory of over 10,000 commercial patterns for the store. He is also an Alterations Specialist at David's Bridal, the largest bridal and occasion store in the United Sates. Howard also lectures on topics related to historical dress throughout the East Coast.