Alumna Pam Knourek is co-director of the UNCSA Costume Design and Costume Technology programs. She is a faculty member for both B.F.A. and M.F.A. courses. While teaching, Knourek draws on her extensive costume technology experience that includes over 20 seasons with the Santa Fe Opera, seven years with The Guthrie Theater and numerous film and television credits.
I love working in the entertainment industry. I teach because I love what I do. I am a costume shop manager and technician. I love introducing the next generation to the endless opportunities this industry has to offer. I am very particular about the quality and the management of time needed to produce at a high level. It is my job to give the tools to the performer to help them tell the story. I do that by partnering with the designer. It takes a good relationship between design and technology to get that job done.
Pam Knourek
I call UNCSA a submersion conservatory. We build on skill sets in our classes. All of the jobs in the industry are held by our students. The faculty work as advisors. We are very present as the majority of our advising happens in the production class. We partner with the Schools of Drama, Filmmaking and Music and outside production teams to bring a variety of production opportunities in for both our Costume Technology and Design Programs.
Pam Knourek
Career Highlights
- The Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Interim Costume Director, 1 year
- Costume Workroom Supervisor, 5 years
- Costume Shop Coordinator, 1 year
- Costume Apprentice Supervisor, 3 years
- Production staff hiring team, 19 years
- The Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Costume Workroom Manager, 7 years
- Managed costume builds for: Desmond Heeley, Paul Tazewell, Patricia Zipprodt, Martin
Pakledinaz, Jess Goldstein, David C. Woolard, Gabriel Berry, Devon Painter, Adelle
Lutz, Marina Draghici, John Conklin, David Zinn, Allen Moyer, Keith G. Lewis, Susan
E. Mickey, Susan Hilferty, Catherine Zuber, Allen Moyer, Anthony McDonald, Veronique
Seymat, Laurent Pelly, Paul Brown, Isabella Bywater, David Walker, Zack Brown, Robert
Perdziola, Bruno Schwengl, Michael Stennett, Judy Levin, Candace Donnelly, Mark Wendland,
Sonya Berlovitz, Adrian Linford, Leslie Travers, Jon Morrell
- Television and film (as one of the following: set costumer, tailor and/or emergency
studio service):
- "Field of Dreams"
- "Sleeping With the Enemy"
- "House of Cards"
- "Betsy’s Wedding"
- "Madea’s Family Reunion"
- "Meet the Browns"
- "Medea Goes to Jail"
- "Scary Movie 5"
- "Freak Fight" promotion trailer
- Guest Faculty/Artist:
- University of Minnesota (Twin Cities Campus)
- Clarke University
- Niagara University
- University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
- Grand Marais Playhouse
- Guest lectures in: Costume Shop Management, Time Management, Portfolio and Resume and Interviewing Skills
Awards, Recognitions and Honors
- UNCSA Excellence in Teaching Award
- Who’s Who of American Teachers (Nominated by Heidi Wolff, University of Minnesota)
- Cirque du Soleil University partner
Organizations
- United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT), active member since 1988
- Co-faculty sponsor of the Student USITT Chapter at UNCSA since 2004
Education
M.F.A. Costume TechnologyUNC School of the Arts
B.A. Drama & SpeechClarke University
