Rafael Jaen (sounds HA-EN) is a professional costume designer, professor, and author. His design work for film, TV, and theater has received multiple accolades. He is the recipient of the Kennedy Center's Golden Medallion for Excellence In Theatre Education, the Life Achievement In The Arts Award 2016 by the Center for Creative and Performing Arts at Salem State University, and the Manning Prize for Excellence in Teaching 2017 at UMass Boston. He is also the recipient of a Joseph P. Healey Research Grant 2014-15 titled "Secession, Entrepreneurship and Haute Couture in the USA During the Civil War Years." Mr. Jaen made The "Most Stylish Bostonians" list in 2014, and his designs were part of the "Costume Design At The Turn Of The Century 1990-2015" exhibit, touring Russia and China. He is VP of Communications for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and Interim National Vice Co-Chair for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). He is the author of SHOWCASE by Focal Press and Digital Costume Design And Collaboration by FOCAL Press/Routledge. He is also the primary editor for the Backstage Series produced by Routledge and USITT. Additionally, he is the Department of Performing Arts Chair and Professor of Theatre Arts at UMASS Boston, and he is a proud member of USA 829/IATSE.