Kendra Johnson

Kendra Johnson is a Professor of Theatre in the Department of Performing Arts at Clemson University. She specializes in Costume Design, African American Theatre, and Theatre Appreciation. Her research focuses on historical clothing, particularly African American dress during the antebellum period, exploring the intersection of African and Western influences on enslaved communities. She has collaborated with Clemson scholars Dr. Andrea Feeser (Art Historian) and Dr. Karen Hall (Ethnobotanist) to study indigo cultivation's impact on enslaved peoples' attire, contributing to Feeser’s book Red, White, and Black Make Blue. Her creative work includes over 100 costume designs for theatre productions nationwide, such as Fences, In the Heights, and the world premiere of The Power of Sail.

Education:

• MFA, University of Tennessee-Knoxville (1994)
• BA, James Madison University (1991)

Research Interests: Johnson investigates historical dress as a medium of cultural expression, particularly in contexts of enslavement. Her work highlights how clothing reflects identity, labor, and resistance. Recent projects reconstruct garments from South Carolina’s Fort Hill Plantation for educational use, blending academic rigor with practical design.

Collaborations & Creative Work: Her interdisciplinary collaborations bridge art history, ethnobotany, and theatre. Creative credits span regional and national theatre companies, emphasizing diverse narratives through costume design.