Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Malena Arcucci is an performance maker currently based in London.
She uses devised and physical theatre techniques, in combination with her background and interest in costume making and sculpture to explore new forms of storytelling. Her work is concerned with the theatricality of societal and political structures and their influence on our social and cultural landscape.
Malena holds a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts and Sculpture from the University of Argentine Museum, and a certificate from the Argentinean National Opera. She has worked extensively as a theatre-maker and costume designer for companies in Buenos Aires and London, some of the venues include Teatro del Pueblo in Buenos Aires, and Southwark Playhouse, Oval Space and the Arcola in London. Malena has exhibited and gave talks internationally in venues and conferences including the Teatro del Pueblo in Buenos Aires, Southwark Playhouse in London, and the Performance Philosophy Biennale in Amsterdam.
In 2019 she completed a Master in Design of Experiences at the University of the Underground and the Sandberg Instituut in Amsterdam, Netherlands. There she collaborated in a variety of multi-disciplinary projects within institutions like the British Transport Police, the Dutch National Opera House in Amsterdam, and Chequeado in Argentina.
In 2016 she founded Mariana/Malena with Mariana Aristizabal Pardo, a plurinational theatre company that engages in practical research regarding the concepts of adaptation, womanhood, and repatriation.
Design credits include: When You Pass Over My Tomb (Arcola Theatre), The Wolf, The Duck and The Mouse (Unicorn Theatre), Super Chefs (UK Tour), Strangers Like Me (NT Connect and Hackney Shed), The Bit Players (Southwark Playhouse), Friday Night Love Poem(Zoo Venues); Point of No Return (Summerhall);The Two of Us (Theatre Deli); Playing Latinx (Camden’s People’s Theatre); and various productions in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Associate Designer credits include: Falkland Sound (RSC), Dear Elizabeth(The Gate); Chiaroscuro (Bush Theatre), and Thebes Land (Arcola Theatre).
Costume Supervisor credits include: The Empress (RSC, Lyric Hammersmith), August in England (Bush Theatre), Sucker Punch (Queen’s Theatre), Bootycandy (Gate Theatre), Super High Resolution (Soho Theatre), The Boys are Kissing (Theatre 503), A Blues for an Alabama Sky (As Assistant, National Theatre), The Cherry Orchard (The Yard), Chasing Hares (Young Vic), House of Ife (Bush Theatre), Lotus Beauty (Hampstead Theatre), Moreno (Theatre 503); Raya (Hampstead Theatre); and Milk and Gall (Theatre503), amongst others.
What to find out more about Malena?
Take the quiz
#1. What was the name of the place Male did her vocational theatre design course?
#2. What is the name of the theatre that Male was an Usher?
#3. What was the name of the festival she was award a bursary to be a design assistant?
#4. How does Malena describe her heritage?
#5. What was the first Theatre that Malena’s Mum took Malena to?
#6. Who was Malena’s role model growing up?
#7. What is Malena’s favourite play?
#8. Where did Malena work for her first job in Theatre in the UK?
#9. According to Malena, what does a Production Manager do to help a Designer?
#10. In what year did Male arrive in the UK?
Results
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