By Fatima Salinas
Margaret Wenk-Kuchlbauer has been part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences since the fall of 1980, designing scenery and costumes for most major UI operas and dance productions for UI School of Music and the Dance Department as well as designs for Theatre Arts and UI Summer Rep dotting her mid-career.
As her retirement on June third nears, Wenk-Kuchlbauer prepares to wrap up a more than four-decade chapter. Wenk-Kuchlbauer reflects on her time working for the university and college with the opportunity to collaborate with many guest performers, artists, faculty members, staff and most especially, the students.
During her 44 years, Wenk-Kuchlbauer says she’s enjoyed working with and mentoring students. In her early career, alongside working behind the scenes, Wenk-Kuchlbauer had the opportunity to teach in the Department of Theatre Arts from 1995 into 2001.
“It has been an honor and a joy to design scenery and costumes for student performers for these many years and be able to see their best work as they perform,” Wenk-Kuchlbauer said.
Throughout the years, Wenk-Kuchlbauer has also had the opportunity to collaborate with many guest performers, artists, students, and faculty members, as well as create costumes and scenery for various performances.
She said among her favorites was “Così fan tutte” by Mozart, a comedy about two young couples in love.
“I have done it four times during my career, so I've had the opportunity with four different directors, four different cast members and four different ways of approaching the piece,” Wenk-Kuchlbauer said. “It’s always a wonderful, collaborative experience.”
She has designed many environments and costumes for Hancher galas and Space Place productions, experience working with many renown guest choreographers and dancers that have come to the university including Trisha Brown Dance Company and American Ballet Theatre.
“Over the years, it has been a joy to see the scale of productions and help creative director envision a piece,” Wenk-Kuchlbauer said.
Looking back to where she started, Wenk-Kuchlbauer reflected on her work, the opportunities she's had, and the mark she leaves behind. She advised young artists to stay energetic and engaged, be open to new ideas, keep as centered and balanced as possible, and to pay it forward.
She expressed gratitude for the opportunities and the supportive community that fostered her creative growth.
“What a lucky, lucky person I am to have been able to do these art forms in a place that fosters students' growth and experience in the performing arts,” Wenk-Kuchlbauer said.
