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Department of performing arts

Mrs. Debra S. Krajec
Adjunct Associate Professor

Helfaer Theatre 103
(414) 288-1504 Phone
(414) 288-7048 Fax
debra.krajec@mu.edu

Courses Taught

THAR 123 History of Costume & Clothing I
THAR 125 History of Costume & Clothing II
THAR 51 Acting for Non Majors
THAR 124 Advanced Costume techniques
THAR 23 Basic Costume Technology
THAR 12 Stage Makeup

Education

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre May 1982
Texas Christian University Fort Worth, Texas
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre
May 1979 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, Texas

Awards

USITT Midwest Founder's Award 2005
Member - Alpha Psi Omega National Honorary Dramatic Fraternity
2001 - Director of MU Theatre’s production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, which was selected to participate in the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival’s Region III competition, Jan. 2001 in Evansville, IN
1999 – Dean’s Recognition Award for Outstanding Teaching, College of Communication
1997 – Dean’s Award for Outstanding Service to the University, College of Communication
1983 - Best Costume Design, American College Theatre Festival, Region II(Southwest) for Major Barbara.

Why Marquette?

Deb came to Marquette in 1984 after working in professional theatre expecting to stay a few years, and hasn’t left yet! She fell in love with MU students – they are smart, hardworking and talented. She believes in the liberal arts approach to training theatre artists, and knows MU is a special place where Performing Arts undergrads get unique training and opportunities not offered in other BA programs. She also appreciates the freedom to “cross over” at MU – to be able to design AND direct AND perform. She encourages her students to be students to be cross-trained as well, which increases their employment potential and gives them informed insight into all areas of the art and craft of theatre.

Research Interests

History of Clothing
Stage Directing Methodologies
Costume Design
French playwright and actor-manager Moliere

Professional Affiliations

Deb has been very active in the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (the only professional organization in the US for theatre designers and technicians) since 1980 and has held several national offices, the two most important being Commissioner of the Costume Design & Technology Commission (1997-2002) and a Director-at-Large for the National Board of Directors (1994-1997, 2003-2006). She has also been active in the Midwest Section of USITT since 1989 and has held the following offices at the regional level: Chair, USITT Midwest Section (1994-1996), Member Executive Board, USITT
Midwest (1990-1993). She is also a member of the Costume Society of America, and has been a member of Actor’s Equity Association since 1983.

Professional Experience

Deb has been an active professional costume designer, having designed for Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, G.B. Shaw Festival-Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Next Act Theatre, Northern Stage Company, Theatre Tesseract, The Ring of Steel Action Entertainment Group, Porthouse Theatre - Blossom Summer Festival, Casa Mañana Playhouse - Fort Worth, TX, and The Fort Worth Theatre. She has directed professionally for In Tandem Theatre, Playwright’s Theatre of Milwaukee, Playwright’s Studio Theatre, and Casa Mañana Playhouse. She is also an Equity actress.
At Marquette, Deb has designed costumes for over 55 mainstage productions, and directed over 20 plays.

Recent Artistic Work

Costume design for the musical BABY at Casa Mañana Theatre, Fort Worth TX, April 2005

Stage Director for What Corbin Knew by Jeffrey Hatcher, produced by In Tandem Productions, Milwaukee WI May–June 2004

Costume Designer for Mindgame by Anthony Horowitz, directed by Kurt Hartwig, produced by Next Act Theatre, Milwaukee WI - Sept.-Oct. 2003