Mallory Prucha, M.F.A., M.A.

Office: Maedgen Theatre 264

Personal Website

Mallory Maria Prucha is an Associate Professor of Costume Design and Technology at Texas Tech University’s School of Theatre & Dance, where she also serves as Head of the Design, Technology, and Management (DTM) area and Coordinator of Strategic Initiatives and Planning for the J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts. Her work spans academic leadership, interdisciplinary research, and creative practice at institutional, regional, and national levels.

A multi-faceted fine artist and designer, Prucha is a member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829 (IATSE) and serves as National Vice Chair for Design, Technology, and Management for the American College Theater Festival (ACTF).

Prucha’s creative and research practice bridges traditional fine arts, performance design, and applied arts in civic and institutional contexts. Her research agenda centers on the use of arts-based methodologies to augment training efficacy in non-traditional environments, including first response, medical education, behavioral health, and disaster-relief simulation. She is the creator and program lead of ARCANE (Artificial Realities, Contexts & Narrative Enactments), a multi-year simulation ecosystem integrating narrative design, standardized patient performance, moulage, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The foundation of this work is world building and is anchored by her strategic planning model, called FRACTALS, which is part of a larger effort to uplift the arts towards STE“A”M, to empower the arts in future contexts. Her leadership in arts-integrated simulation and engaged scholarship has been recognized with the Texas Tech Presidential Award for Excellence in Engaged Creative Activity and the Texas Tech Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence.

In addition to her applied research, Prucha maintains an active professional design and fine art practice. She has worked for more than a decade in professional theatre and performance with organizations including Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre, Oregon Cabaret Theatre, Nebraska Shakespeare, Nebraska Repertory Theatre, Southwest Shakespeare Company, Bilkent University (Turkey), and Centro Nacional de las Artes (CENART) in Mexico City. Her professional roles have included Costume Designer, Cutter/Draper, Craftsperson, Dramaturg, Make-Up Artist, Scenic Charge Artist, and consultant.

She is also a certified composite sketch artist for law enforcement through Stuart Parks Forensic Associates, providing forensic art services to the Lubbock Police Department on an as-needed basis. Prucha is also a nationally recognized public and street-painting artist, specializing in large-scale sidewalk chalk murals that emphasize accessibility, community engagement, and place-based making. Her work includes numerous commissioned and award-winning public artworks.

Prucha holds an M.F.A. in Costume Design from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, an M.A. in Theatre Arts, and a B.A. in Studio Art from the University of Nebraska–Omaha. She has previously taught at California State University, Chico; Mesa Community College; the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire; and Iowa Western Community College.

A selection of narratives and resources, including teaching philosophy, leadership approach, a CV, and samples of work can be found at www.malloryprucha.com.