Sabrina Notarfrancisco

Sabrina Notarfrancisco serves as Associate Professor of Theater and Chair of the Department of Theater at Connecticut College, where she has taught since 2004. She specializes in merging theoretical instruction with hands-on practice through courses in Fashion History and Costume Design/Construction within the department's costume studio.

Her educational background includes:

• B.A. from University of Central Florida
• M.A. from Southwest Missouri State University
• M.F.A. in Costume Design from University of Connecticut

Her research explores costume design as a vehicle for examining cultural narratives, with focus areas including wearable politics, historical fashion evolution, and international design practices. Projects frequently investigate themes of colonialism, gender disparity, and environmental impact through experimental costumed exhibits that bridge art and lived experience.

Her publications analyze major international costume exhibitions, revealing trends in contemporary scenography and design innovation across global theater communities. This scholarly work demonstrates how costume functions as both historical artifact and cutting-edge artistic expression in live performance contexts.

She has received the John S. King Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Notarfrancisco actively mentors students through over 70 academic and professional productions, while serving leadership roles in international organizations including OISTAT and USITT. Her 2022-2023 appointments as Associate Jury Manager for World Stage Design and Associate Curator for the U.S. National Exhibition at the Prague Quadrennial highlight her global influence.

She directs Connecticut College's costume studio as a collaborative laboratory where students develop technical skills while engaging with conceptual frameworks through production work.