Department of Theatre & Dance Staff

Mary Kay Samouce, Visiting Professional in Residency in Set Design, holds a BFA in studio Art from the University of Utah with an MFA in Scenic Design from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, under the auspice of legendary designers Oliver Smith and John Conklin. Additional professional training also includes a master class with Ming Cho Lee, Humboldt University Summer Arts Conference. Mary Kay is a recipient of the (NEA) National Endowment for the Arts (TCG) Theatre Communications Group Career Development Grant, with studies at The Academy of the Performing Arts in Prague under Jaroslov Malina, in San Diego, CA with renowned designer Ralph Funicello, and NYC Broadway designers Jerome Serlin and Martin Pakledinaz.

Mary Kay has designed multi-set musicals, plays and touring productions for regional theatres including The New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, The New Harmony Theatre (IN) and Playhouse on the Square (TN). Her university guest design, teaching and mentoring credits include Rollins College (FL), Hope College (MI) and NYU with experience working on staff for the Williamstown Theatre Festival (MA) and the Santa Fe Opera. Her professional credits span film art direction for the 2002 Academy Award winning documentary short film “Thoth”, Assistant Designer on television productions for A&E and 20/20 (NYC).

She has designed stages and exhibits for many corporate events, including the Mattel Toy Fair, Fisher Price and Neiman Marcus. Mary Kay is an accomplished scenic artist and scenic craft technician not only for theatre but for theme parks as well, such as the Six Flags Amusement Parks roller coaster cue environment design and fabrication. As a fine artist and jewelry designer she has collaborated with acclaimed couture designers for U.S. and international runways shows.

Mary Kay is thrilled to share her experiences and guide the students of WKU in their exploration of the performing arts.