Eva Kudláčová Rácová
Profile
Eva Kudláčová-Rácová graduated from the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava, where she majored in stage and costume design under the leadership of Aleš Votava and later also Milan Čorba and Jozef Ciller. She did an internship at the Academy of Visual Arts in Warsaw. Since 2001, she has been working as a costume and stage artist for theatres in Slovakia and abroad. She has collaborated with theatres in Bratislava – the Slovak National Theatre, ASTORKA Korzo ’90 Theatre, Aréna Theatre – as well as the State Theatre in Košice (the present National Theatre Košice), the Dance Studio Theatre in Banská Bystrica, among others. Most of the work she has done was for the City Theatre Žilina. Her international collaborations include the Czech National Theatre, the Prague-based Dejvice Theatre and the Na zábradlí Theatre, as well as the Maison de la Poesie Theatre in Paris. Since 2002 she has worked also as a costume artist for film and television productions, creating costumes for such films as Laura Siváková’s Heaven, Hell… Earth or Róbert Šveda’s Demons.
Eva Kudláčová-Rácová is a stage and costume artist whose work is characteristic for its minimalism. Her idiosyncratic visual art is best described as geometrically precise and using a simple stage form. Her poetics merge the imaginary and the real. In the production Miraculus (Dance Studio Banská Bystrica, 2004), the stage was made of a circle of stones and the designer enlarged the scene by using a blue backlit horizon of the stage background. For the visual concept in Innocence (Slovak National Theatre, 2016), Kudláčová-Rácová designed a large hole in the middle of the stage and hanging chains in the backdrop, and also worked with such themes as death, suicide, and hopelessness. In Madame Bovary (Slovak National Theatre, 2013) the moral decline of the main protagonist was represented by the production’s visual approach – the initial splendour was gradually transformed into an empty space (the wall panels were pulled out and the fragments of beams were lowered).
A typical feature of Kudláčová-Rácová’s work is the elimination of all that is disruptive or decorative. She prefers a stage space cleared of any colour, which is why she rarely uses colours in her designs. This is visible in the visual concept to the production Someone is Going to Come (City Theatre Žilina, 2021), which was distinctive in its sterility. The stage was dominated by a big model of a house built from thin, wooden, vertical planks. Projected on it were detailed features of a face and shots of the sea. The visual artist evoked feelings of intimacy in the production This Room Can’t Be Eaten (City Theatre Žilina, 2023) by getting rid of the space between the stage and the auditorium. The spectators were seated on the stage with a mirror wall installed in front of them. Kudláčová-Rácová took a toned-down approach also to the production Illusions (City Theatre Žilina, 2015). The downstage was dark, while the upstage featured protruding platforms that became the central element of the space where the stage action took place.
In her creative staging work, Kudláčová-Rácová cooperates mainly with her husband, the director Eduard Kudláč, who prefers producing contemporary plays by international authors (Dea Loher, Ivan Vyrypaev, Roland Schimmelpfennig, among others) as well as staging unconventional interpretations of works of literary fiction. Her other collaborators include the directors Marián Amsler, Valeria Schulczová, and Soňa Ferancová.
- 2000 / Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava / costume design / William Shakespeare: Love’s Labour’s Lost, directed by Jozef Koleják
- 2000 / Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava / stage and costume design / William Shakespeare: Troilus and Cressida, directed by Jakub Nvota
- 2001 / ASTORKA Korzo ’90 Theatre, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Heiner Müller: Quartett, directed by Soňa Ferancová
- 2001 / Studio L+S, Bratislava / visual collaboration / Jakub Nvota, Kamil Žiška: A Night Laid Open I, directed by Jakub Nvota, Kamil Žiška
- 2002 / Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava / stage and costume design / Pablo Neruda: The Splendour and Death of Joaquín Murieta, directed by József Czajlik
- 2002 / Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava / stage and costume design / Marius von Mayenburg: Parasites, directed by Maja Hriešik and Roman Olekšák
- 2002 / Studio L+S, Bratislava / visual collaboration / Jakub Nvota, Kamil Žiška: A Night Laid Open II, directed by Jakub Nvota and Kamil Žiška
- 2002 / Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava and Studio 12, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Olya Mukhina: Tanya-Tanya, directed by Marián Amsler
- 2002 / Andrej Bagar Theatre in Nitra / stage and costume design / Petr Zelenka: Tales of Ordinary Madness, directed by Svetozár Sprušanský
- 2003 / GUnaGU Theatre, Bratislava / stage design / Karol Vosátko: Models, directed by Karol Vosátko
- 2003 / Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava / stage and costume design / Alexey Slapovsky: Clinch, directed by Maja Hriešik
- 2003 / Aréna Theatre, Bratislava / stage and costume design / David Gieselmann: Mr. Kolpert, directed by Marián Amsler
- 2003 / HaDivadlo, Brno, Czech Republic / costume design / Witold Gombrowicz: Yvonne, Princess of Burgundy, directed by Valeria Schulczová
- 2003 / Théâtre Maison de la Poésie, Paris, France / Tadeusz Rózewicz: Our Little Stabilization, directed by Lukasz Kos
- 2003 / AMU HAMU Studio TON Prague, Czech Republic / stage design / Three from three countries, choreography by Tomáš Krivošík
- 2004 / Dance Studio, Banská Bystrica / stage and costume design / Sectio, choreography by Zuzana Kozánková
- 2004 / Dance Studio, Banská Bystrica / stage and costume design / Miraculus, choreography by Katarína Zagorski
- 2004 / Andrej Bagar Theatre in Nitra / stage and costume design / Igor Bauersima: norway.today, directed by Vladislava Fekete
- 2004 / Studio 12, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Peter Pavlac, Soňa Ferancová: Hotline, directed by Soňa Ferancová
- 2005 / Ballet of the Slovak National Theatre, Bratislava / costume design / Mário Radačovský: Change..., directed by Mário Radačovský
- 2005 / Aréna Theatre, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Falk Richter: God is a DJ, directed by Marián Amsler
- 2005 / Aréna Theatre, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt: Oscar and the Lady in Pink, directed by Juraj Johanides
- 2005 / Theatre without a Home, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Anna Grusková, Uršuľa Kovalyk: The Bloody Key
- 2005 / Ponec Theatre Prague, Czech Republic / stage design / Milan Kozánek: Mass, choreography by Milan Kozánek
- 2005 / Na zábradlí Theatre Prague, Czech Republic / costume design / Iva Volánková: Barbies, directed by Valeria Schulczová
- 2005 / Dejvice Theatre Prague, Czech Republic / stage design / Isaac Bashevis Singer, Karel František Tománek: Love Story, directed by Marián Amsler
- 2006 / ASTORKA Korzo ’90 Theatre, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Roman Olekšák: Smileys, directed by Maja Hriešik, Roman Olekšák
- 2006 / Andrej Bagar Theatre in Nitra / stage and costume design / Neil LaBute: The Shape of Things, directed by Maja Hriešik, Roman Olekšák
- 2006 / Andrej Bagar Theatre in Nitra / stage and costume design / Trevor Griffiths: Comedians, directed by Peter Mankovecký
- 2006 / Drama Studio in Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic / stage design / Anton Pavlovich Chekhov: Three Sisters, directed by Marián Amsler
- 2007 / Aréna Theatre, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Michal Hvorecký: Plush, directed by Marián Amsler
- 2007 / Aréna Theatre, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Yasmina Reza: God of Carnage, directed by Soňa Ferancová
- 2007 / Andrej Bagar Theatre in Nitra / stage and costume design / Július Barč-Ivan: Mother, directed by Marián Amsler
- 2007 / Ballet of the Slovak National Theatre, Bratislava / costume design / Mário Radačovský: Bolero and More... Change, choreography by Mário Radačovský
- 2007 / Ballet of the Slovak National Theatre, Bratislava / costume design / Igor Holováč: Bolero and More... When Art Means to Live, choreography by Igor Holováč
- 2007 / Debris Company, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Maja Hriešik: Orthopoeticum, directed by Maja Hriešik
- 2007 / Artyci, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Sui Generis, choreography by Róbert Tirpák, Milan Kozánek, Zuzana Kozánková
- 2008 / Drama Department of the Slovak National Theatre, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Iveta Horváthová: Fetishists, directed by Soňa Ferancová
- 2008 / Dance Studio, Banská Bystrica / stage and costume design / Be Bop, directed by Jozef Vlk
- 2008 / City Theatre Žilina / costume design / Sergi Belbel: Mobile, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2008 / Debris Company, Bratislava / costume design / Jozef Vlk: Hexen, directed by Jozef Vlk
- 2008 / Drama Department of the National Theatre Prague, Czech Republic / stage and costume design / Hans Christian Andersen: The Snow Queen, directed by Zoja Mikotová
- 2009 / Aréna Theatre, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Liz Lochhead: Perfect Days, directed by Soňa Ferancová
- 2009 / Drama Department of the Slovak National Theatre, Bratislava / stage and costume design / David Geiselmann: The Farm, directed by Marián Amsler
- 2009 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Roland Schimmelpfennig: The Woman Before, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2009 / West Bohemian Theatre in Cheb, Czech Republic / stage and costume design / William Mastrosimone: Extremities, directed by Valeria Schulczová
- 2009 / Klicper Theatre Hradec Králové, Czech Republic / stage and costume design / Alena Šimůnková: The Prince and the Pauper, directed by Zoja Mikotová
- 2010 / Drama Department of the Slovak National Theatre, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Marius von Mayenburg: The Ugly One, directed by Soňa Ferancová
- 2010 / Drama Department of the Slovak National Theatre, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Sarah Ruhl: Dead Man’s Cell Phone, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2010 / Debris Company, Bratislava / costume design / Jozef Vlk: MONO, directed by Jozef Vlk
- 2010 / Aréna Theatre, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Terry Johnson: The Graduate, directed by Soňa Ferancová
- 2010 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Peter Handke: Underground Blues, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2010 / GUnaGU Theatre, Bratislava / stage design / Karol Vosátko: Models II, directed by Karol Vosátko
- 2011 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky: Idiot, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2011 / Slovak Chamber Theatre Martin / stage and costume design / Kamil Žiška, Monika Michnová: The Softer the Tone, the Better, directed by Kamil Žiška
- 2011 / Ballet of the Slovak National Theatre, Bratislava / costume design / 4men (Made in Slovakia), directed by Šárka Ondrišová
- 2011 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Roland Schimmelpfennig: CET (Central European Time), directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2011 / Debris Company, Bratislava / costume design / Private Prisons, directed by Jozef Vlk
- 2012 / Drama Department of the State Theatre Košice / stage and costume design / Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky: Crime and Punishment, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2012 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Viliam Klimáček: Beat (everyone has their own rhythm), directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2012 / Drama Department of the State Theatre, Košice / stage and costume design / Jonáš Záborský: The Foundling, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2012 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Iva Klestilová: Leaves Rustling in the Sistra, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2012 / Alexander Duchnovič Theatre, Prešov / stage and costume design / Fyodor Sologub: Poor Devil, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2012 / Studio L+S, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Peter Turrini: Finally, the End, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2013 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky: Crime and Punishment, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2013 / Drama Department of the Slovak National Theatre, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Gustave Flaubert: Madame Bovary, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2013 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Dea Loher: Bluebeard (the Hope of Women), directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2014 / Late Harvest, Bratislava / costume design / Deliberate Wait, directed by the team
- 2014 / Drama Department of the Slovak National Theatre, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Ivan Vyrypaev: Illusions, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2014 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Dea Loher: Thieves, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2014 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Ivan Vyrypaev: Drunks, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2014 / Studio L+S, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Yevgeny Grishkovets: All Is Quiet in the East, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2015 / Jonáš Záborský Theatre, Prešov / stage and costume design / Patrick Marber: Dealer’s Choice, directed by Marianna Luteránová
- 2015 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Ivan Vyrypaev: Illusions, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2015 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky: Demons I, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2015 / Drama Department of the National Theatre Prague, Czech Republic / stage and costume design / Hanoch Levin: The Labour of Life, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2016 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Roland Schimmelpfennig: Idomeneus, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2016 / Drama Department of the Slovak National Theatre Bratislava / stage and costume design / Dea Loher: Innocence, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2016 / Jonáš Záborský Theatre Prešov / stage and costume design / Zoltán Egressy: Offside, directed by Marianna Luteránová
- 2016 / Ballet of the Slovak National Theatre Bratislava / stage and costume design / BESS – Homage to Rudolf Laban, directed by Šárka Ondrišová
- 2016 / Petr Bezruč Theatre, Ostrava, Czech Republic / stage and costume design / Mohamed Rouabhi: Arnaque, Cocaine & Bricolage, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2017 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Ivan Vyrypaev: Unbearably Long Embraces, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2017 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Daniel Doubt: Resurrection, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2018 / Drama Department of the Slovak National Theatre, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky: A Gentle Creature, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2018 / Jonáš Záborský Theatre, Prešov / stage design / William Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by Marianna Luteránová
- 2018 / Prague City Theatres, Rococo Prague, Czech Republic / stage and costume design / Joël Pommerat: The Reunification of the Two Koreas, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2018 / Pod Palmovkou Theatre, Praha, Czech Republic / stage and costume design / Caryl Churchill: Cloud 9, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2018 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Mohamed Rouabhi: Arnaque, Cocaine & Bricolage, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2019 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Miklós Forgács: The Grimless Reaper, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2019 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Juli Zeh, Charlotte Roos: Yellow Line, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2019 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Roland Schimmelpfennig: The Day I Was No Longer Me, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2020 / Studio L+S, Bratislava / stage and costume design / Clément Michel: The Bill, directed by Jakub Nvota
- 2021 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Jon Fosse: Someone is Going to Come, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2021 / Drama Department of the Slovak National Theatre Bratislava / stage and costume design / Caryl Churchill: Escaped Alone, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2021 / City Theatre of Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav, Bratislava / stage design / Oľga Feldeková: One Hundred Dolls, directed by Michal Spišák
- 2021 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Thomas Melle: Pictures of Us, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2021 / City Theatre of Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav, Bratislava / stage design / Juraj Šebesta: Bratislava by Night, directed by Marianna Luteránová
- 2021 / City Theatre of Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav, Bratislava / stage design / Michaela Zakuťanská: Laziness, directed by Daša Krištofovičová
- 2021 / City Theatre of Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav, Bratislava / stage design / Uršuľa Kovalyk: Take Care, Julia!, directed by Kateřina Quisová
- 2021 / City Theatre of Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav, Bratislava / stage design / Peter Scherhaufer: The Price for Envy, directed by Marián Amsler
- 2021 / City Theatre of Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav, Bratislava / stage design / Valeria Schulczová, Roman Olekšák: Experts, directed by Valeria Schulczová
- 2022 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Astrid Saalbach: Hairdressers, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2022 / Drama Department of the Slovak National Theatre, Bratislava / stage design / Valeria Schulczová: 24, directed by Valeria Schulczová
- 2023 / City Theatre of Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav, Bratislava / stage and costume design / team of authors: Generation Z: Fantomas, directed by Valeria Schulczová
- 2023 / City Theatre Žilina / stage and costume design / Nicol Hochholczerová: This Room Can’t Be Eaten, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2023 / HaDivadlo, Brno, Czech Republic / stage and costume design / Sofia Andrukhovych: Fire in Felix Austria, directed by Eduard Kudláč
- 2004 / Dosky 2004 Award for the costume design to David Gieselmann’s play Mr. Kolpert (Aréna Theatre, Bratislava)