How to become a Wig Maker

Gallery of Theatre Work

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Becoming a Wigmaker and Makeup Artist

Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci

In January of 2010 shortly after enrolling in cosmetology school, I decided that I wanted to enter the theatre world to learn more about the beauty industry, specifically wigs and makeup. Having graduated from Purdue University in 2007 with an emphasis on film, the theatre world was something I knew about though my initial exposure was a bit different. During my college years, I learned how to become very technical but lacked the creative side of the art form. I wanted to venture out from behind the camera lens and learn more about the other crafts responsible for creating the experience associated with live theatre.

I began to work on my new found goals by cold calling and emailing a bunch of establishments that focused on wigs and theatre. After receiving quite a few no’s or no replies, I received my first huge break towards the end of January. Arizona Opera returned my call about becoming a volunteer for their wigs and make up department. They offered me an opportunity to work on their up and coming show, La Boheme.

Nervous and excited, I showed up to work ready to learn. I was shocked when I discovered I had to do the makeup for all of the supers. Supers are equivalent in theatre to extras in movies. Without any training, I did the best I could to make the cast members look presentable.

For the 2010-2011 season Arizona Opera went under new leadership. As a result of this change a lot of the staff members who had worked on previous shows did not return which meant new responsibilities for me. I had received my first official make up training session for Turandot, a huge production. We had the daunting task of making the entire cast look Asian. There was no time to perfect my new found skills as I was cast into the middle of the supers that I would ultimately be responsible for. A makeup guide sheet was provided for us to refer to. Additionally, we had to do full body makeup with a liquid base foundation, I had to instruct the chorus on their make up.

With this added responsibility I became even more aware of my flaws when teaching others. I was dissatisfied with my limited knowledge of makeup and skin care. In order for me to put my best foot forward I decided to enroll in aesthetics. I desired to be more confident in my work and also have the ability to help others.

The 2011-2012 season provided even more opportunity for me to continue my learning as my responsibilities again increased and I was promoted to Wigs/Makeup shop Assistant. This meant I had to travel with the show and juggle school. My manager became more dependent on me and I officially became a part of the leadership group. I had to get used to the idea of crew and cast members looking to me for direction.

The season opening production consisted of two shows, Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci. It was the first time I had a couple of quick changes along with my first time doing clown makeup. Clown makeup had to be completed within a two minute time frame. The makeup for the Clowns was initially complex but became simpler towards the end of production.

On the first day we loaded in all of the materials to the proper stations. Seasoned team members instructed me on how to set up stations properly. My initial thought was that the two towels provided were to be used to overlap and place all tools and make up. However, I was informed one towel is to cover up everything instead of using paper towels.

I was instructed as to where I would be working. I would be acting as a floater between the supers and chorus women. We had new staff members so I would assist in helping them perform their tasks as well. Towards the end of the day I watched training sessions with new staff. I picked up on some things that I needed to improve on. One example of this was that I discovered how to correctly use and layer liquid foundation with sponges.

The second day consisted of rehearsals and we strategized on how to improve methods of execution. The production was a challenge and everything was chaotic. The director skipped parts, cast members were missing, and no one had a clue as to what scene occurred. There were several times we missed our cue and places to do quick changes.

Another challenge that become more pronounced on day two was that the new staff members were intimidated with tasks given to them. Assignments began to get backed up. Very few supers did their own makeup. As a result, a tremendous amount of work was left to do. Unfortunately, I had to leave the supers in chaos and go downstairs to help the chorus. I tried rush to finish up all my tasks with chorus women. Upon completion I ran back up stairs to help with supers when it was close to curtain call.

When all initial assignments were completed, we had few moments to look at our work from the audience’s point of view. We took notes on how to make improvements and where should be during certain scenes.

As I reflected back on our mistakes on the previous day, I concluded the new staff needed to practice their training. In between quick changes I trained the new staff by allowing them to practice on me. The first session involved teaching them how to properly place wigs and remove wigs from people. It was hard acting as both the teacher and model. One of the cosmetologists decided to assist and instructed team members while I acted as model while giving wig tips.

Afterwards I had to go back to being the instructor/model for makeup training session. This impromptu class also took a lot longer to demo and allow for practice during the show. Fortunately, a licensed aesthetician who was also working the show demoed her way of designing which helped me tremendously. I learned a bulk of new tips just listening to her: test make up to see if you are satisfied with its intensity, do not get black eye liner near bottom line of lashes allow for more spacing, make sure water based make up is thick and pasty on tools, place blush on apple of cheeks by making cast member smile, pay attention to the angle of the brush, the flatter the brush the thinner the line, make sure to define the nostrils, women should have softer features such as rounded lines, men should have angled features through angled lines, and to take intensity level down apply base to the troubled area.

I was also able to apply some of the methods I learned from school. I used my fingers and dabbed around the eyes to blend and cover blemishes. I increased the intensity of the makeup by applying more pressure with the brush. To create a properly blended eyebrow, I created a guide at the bottom of brow and blended upward. When I contoured I rolled the brush downward from the guideline and blended with horizontal strokes. During the application lipstick I brought the strokes to the center. To make nose appear elongated I highlighted the center between the eyebrows. Finally, the understanding of darker skin tones need to be brighter not lighter helped me out significantly.

Another useful tool for me on this production was to become a model for others. It allowed me to observe and pick up things that I normally would not have noticed. I was able to feel the various pressures of the brushes, which allowed me to service others better.

Everything went smoothly during the final days of the performances. Confidence levels of the staff members were at an all time high. I was not needed as much and therefore I did not have to rush to finish my task only to then assist others.

Swina allowed me to apply school concepts to a professional environment and to see the application in real time. I was able to do in depth skin analysis. I noticed a possible basal cell and talked with super about seeing his dermatologist. Jokingly, I scolded a cast member for not wearing sunscreen when he came in sunburned. One of the cast members discussed her frustration with hyperpigmentation and we talked methods of treatment and prevention.

As far as areas for improvement that I noticed, I still have a hard time being assertive in a leadership role. For example, one of the supers insisted on getting clown make up to look like of the Kiss band members. Instead of me making the executive decision I decided to let the manager deal with it.

Some additional areas of opportunity were that I also need to continue working on both contouring, highlighting, and not forgetting to set the make up with a finisher. Working with mature skin is currently my Achilles heel. I also struggle to make small talk with others while working.

In the upcoming future I am most looking forward to airbrushing. Airbrushing will save us a lot of time than manually putting on liquid base foundation with big sponges. Another useful method for the theatre is eyelash extensions. I am not comfortable working around the eyes with adhesives.

I am truly grateful I was able to have the opportunity to go back to school to enhance my career and for the opportunity this past week to show me the correlation between the concepts I’m learning and their real world application. The experience has allowed me not only improve my work of art but also the knowledge to help those around me as well. I now feel confident in allowing my work to be photographed or filmed professionally and shared among others as I had once done.

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