Janice Benning Lacek
Associate Professor
303-871-3161 (Office)
Johnson-McFarlane Hall, 1903 E. Iliff Ave. Denver, CO 80208
What I do
Associate Professor of Theatre Costume Design & Technology, Resident Faculty Costume Designer for DU Theatre Productions and professional freelance costume designerSpecialization(s)
Costume Design & Costume Technology, Studies in Costume, Fashion, & Dress
Professional Biography
I joined the DU faculty in 2016 with teaching specialties in costume design and technologies, theatre design and production, and interests in fashion history and fashion theory. Before becoming a Pioneer, I was Associate Professor of Costume Design & Technology and Director of Graduate Studies for the MFA/BFA Theatre Design programs at the University of Memphis. An educator since 1994, I have also taught costume and theatre at the University of Colorado at Boulder and Kenyon College.
I have also contributed to a series of projects with the DUPrison Arts Initiative as a guest artist.
Formerly a resident designer (and a founding company member) of Denver’s Curious Theatre Company, my professional design credits include costume and makeup designs for theatre, dance, and opera across the country and internationally since 1987, including world premieres at the the La Jolla Playhouse, A.C.T. in San Francisco, Syracuse Stage, the San Diego Rep, the American University of Cairo, Egypt, and the Colorado, Utah, and Oregon Shakespeare Festivals. My professional work in recent years features projects with CSF, the Arvada Center, Curious Theatre Company, Opera Memphis, Theatre Memphis and the Tennessee Shakespeare Company.
I have also contributed to a series of projects with the DUPrison Arts Initiative as a guest artist.
Formerly a resident designer (and a founding company member) of Denver’s Curious Theatre Company, my professional design credits include costume and makeup designs for theatre, dance, and opera across the country and internationally since 1987, including world premieres at the the La Jolla Playhouse, A.C.T. in San Francisco, Syracuse Stage, the San Diego Rep, the American University of Cairo, Egypt, and the Colorado, Utah, and Oregon Shakespeare Festivals. My professional work in recent years features projects with CSF, the Arvada Center, Curious Theatre Company, Opera Memphis, Theatre Memphis and the Tennessee Shakespeare Company.
Degree(s)
- MFA, Theatre Design, University of California- San Diego, 1993
- BA, Special Major: Theatre & Religion, Gettysburg College, 1985
Professional Affiliations
- United States Institute of Theatre Technology
- United Scenic Artists, Local 829
- Southeast Theatre Conference
Performances
. (2021). Saints of Failure - written, directed and performed by Ryan Conarro. Generator Theatre, Denver, CO.
. (2020). The Lonesome West by Martin McDonagh. University of Denver Theatre, Denver, CO.
. (2019). Plaza Suite by Neil Simon. Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities. Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Arvada, CO.
. (2019). Pass Over, by Antoinette Nwandu. Curious Theatre Company. Denver, CO.
. (2017). All's Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare. Great River Shakespeare Festival. Winona, MN.
. (2017). The Luckiest People by Merideth Friedman. Curious Theatre Company. Denver Colorado.
. (2017). Body of an American by Dan O' Brien. Curious Theatre Company. Denver Colorado.
. (2018). Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare. Tennessee Shakespeare Company. Memphis,TN.
. (2018). The Romeo & Juliet Project (by William Shakespeare). Tennessee Shakespeare Company. Memphis,TN.
