Karen Kangas-Preston

Karen Kangas-Preston is a Senior Academic Specialist—Teaching and MFA Design Program Director at Michigan State University's College of Arts and Letters, Department of Theatre. With over 15 years of experience in costume design, construction, and stage makeup, she has become a central figure in theatre education and international programming. She has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in costume design, global costume history, and British theatre history, and has led MSU's Theatre in London/Exploring British Theatre program since 2008.

• Education:
  • Master of Fine Arts in Costume Design from Illinois State University
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design and Technology from the University of Minnesota-Duluth

Kangas-Preston's expertise lies in costume design and production for theatrical performance, with a particular focus on historical and stylistic authenticity. Her work bridges design practice with global theatre traditions, and she has integrated voice, movement, and period styles into her pedagogy. She has developed courses that emphasize both technical skills and theoretical understanding of costume's role in storytelling.

Her costume designs have been showcased in over 30 productions at regional theatres including Williamston Theatre, Meadow Brook Theatre, and Tipping Point Theatre, as well as in national conferences. These works span diverse styles from classical (Cyrano De Bergerac) to contemporary (Mr. Burns a Post-Electric Play), demonstrating her versatility across theatrical genres.

• Major Awards:
  • 2024 Delphi Award for the Charting Pathways of Intellectual Leadership (CPIL) initiative
  • 2021 MSU Outstanding Service to Education Abroad Award
  • 2019 MSU Distinguished Academic Staff Award
  • 2018 CAL Fixed-term & Academic Specialist Excellence in Leadership Award
  • 2023-24 Walter and Pauline Adams Academy Instructional Excellence Fellow

As an academic leader, Kangas-Preston served on the Academic Specialist Advisory Committee and the CAL Taskforce for Non-tenure Track Pathways. Her leadership was instrumental in reimagining evaluation systems for non-tenure track faculty, contributing to MSU's Provost's Academic Strategic Plan. She continues to shape educational policies while maintaining an active role in costume education and international theatre programs.