James Madison grad earns tenure and promotion at Clemson University

Published: September 14, 2009

Kendra Johnson shows some of the dolls she created to depict slaves' clothing. image by: Clemson University

CLEMSON, S.C. — James Madison University graduate Kendra Johnson recently was promoted to associate professor of theater in Clemson Uniiversity's performing arts department.

A 1991 James Madison graduate with a bachelor's degree, she teaches a variety of theater classes, designs costumes and researches African-American hair techniques.

A member of the Clemson faculty since 2003, Johnson serves as the department’s costuming, hair and makeup expert, as well as a specialist in African-American theater history. She teaches courses in theater appreciation, stage makeup, costume design, costume technology and African-American theater history.

As a professional costume designer, Johnson has nearly 50 shows to her credit. Among them are classic works such as “Jane Eyre,” “Macbeth” and “Learned Ladies," along with contemporary works like “The Heidi Chronicles,” “Psycho Beach Party” and “Master Harold…and the Boys.” In 2005, she received a Meritorious Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for her work on “The Heidi Chronicles.”

Johnson also researches the clothing worn by African-American slaves and its depictions on stage, screen and at historical sites. Most recently, she has teamed with other Clemson scholars to analyze the cultivation, selling and uses of indigo in South Carolina. “South Carolina Indigo: The Plant and Dye as a Colonial Boon and Burden” has partnered her with faculty in the art and forestry and natural resources departments.

Johnson has served as a guest lecturer at several institutions, and her dolls, illustrating slave clothing, have been displayed at the Blackbridge Hall Gallery at Georgia College and State University and the Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio.

“Professor Johnson has earned the respect of her colleagues through her excellence in teaching and her thoughtful and professional costume designs over the past six years,” said Rick Goodstein, chairman of the performing arts department. “The faculty and I look forward to working with her into the future.  Professor Johnson is hard-working, creative and collegial. The professional distinction of tenure is well-earned."

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