Kjrsten Kay is a theatrical costume designer based in Columbus, Ohio. Her work blends storytelling, movement, and visual texture to create costumes that are both expressive and functional. With a deep appreciation for bold aesthetics and character-driven design, she approaches each project as a collaboration between concept, performer, and production.
Currently serving as a Costume Designer and Technician at Shadowbox Live in Columbus, Ohio, Kjrsten has designed for a wide range of performances, including aerial acts, original musicals, ballets, music tribute shows, and sketch comedy. Her work prioritizes movement, durability, and cohesion within the larger creative vision, resulting in designs that support both spectacle and storytelling.
Kjrsten studied Fashion Design at the Columbus College of Art & Design, where she developed strong technical construction skills and a meticulous eye for detail. She later specialized in corsetry and tailoring at the London College of Fashion in the UK, deepening her expertise in precision fit and structural garment design.
As an artist-in-residence at the Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity in Alberta, Canada, she focused on costume design for ballet and opera, further expanding her work within movement-based performance. Her work has been recognized with a grant from the Greater Columbus Arts Council for excellence in fashion design, and she has been featured in local fashion showcases.
A deep love of historical dress continues to influence her design vocabulary. The silhouettes, structure, and detailing of past eras inform much of her theatrical work, and she has created museum-quality historical garments that have received awards for both design and historical accuracy.
Outside of theatre, Kjrsten continues to explore creative disciplines including pottery and aerial arts — practices that further inform her understanding of form, movement, and physical expression. She also enjoys spending time with her cat.