Sara Ward Culpepper

Sara Ward Culpepper is an Associate Teaching Professor in Theater Studies at Emory University, and also serves as Scenic Designer and Scenic Charge Artist with Theater Emory. She holds a BA from Louisiana Tech University and an MFA from the University of Virginia. Her work spans national and regional theater collaborations, including with institutions like The Alliance Theatre and Atlanta Opera.

Her research focuses on integrating architectural principles and visual art into scenic design, emphasizing how environments shape character-audience interaction. Key methodologies include text-to-space translation, research-driven design, and the use of line, texture, and color composition.

Award-winning designer, she has received the Kennedy Center Design Storm Award (2004) and the 2012 Fine Award in Theater Studies. She currently teaches scenic design and coordinates properties at Emory’s Theater Program.