Claire Abernathy

A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Claire Abernathy received her M.F.A from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. She currently teaches a variety of design and technology courses and manages the costume shop here at A-State. She has designed costumes for more than sixty productions with A-State Theatre, including Into the Woods, Godspell, and Silent Sky.

Since 2020 she has been heavily involved with Jonesboro’s first professional theatre company, The Link. In collaboration with them, she has designed a combination of costumes, lighting, and scenery for many of their theatrical productions. Bringing professional, high caliber theatre to Jonesboro and exposing students not only to the performances but also opportunities to work on a professional level has been integral to her involvement with The Link.

In 2024 Claire spent 6 weeks studying in London where she took courses from master crafters in millinery, 18th century stay-making, cutting and draping, block printing, needle punch, and leather bag making.