Hair and Makeup for “The Little Mermaid”
If you’re a fan of the theater but prefer to be backstage, the hair and makeup department may be for you. Whether you’re curling hair, painting faces or helping to put on wigs, the hair and makeup team plays a big role behind the scenes.
“The Little Mermaid” is my third production I’ve worked backstage for, and I can truthfully say it’s some of the most fun I’ve had here at Xavier. Not only is it an amazing way to get involved with the theater, but an opportunity to make new friends and test your makeup skills.
Backstage, you’ll get the opportunity to apply makeup to everyone who needs it — even boys need eyeliner and blush! With the help of bright theater makeup, the audience will be able to clearly see the actors’ faces, so it’s essential that the makeup is dark and vibrant. In “The Little Mermaid,” the hair and makeup crew helped the characters to come alive, by adding blue shimmering scales to King Triton’s face and deep purple contour to Ursula’s cheeks. Depending on the characters in the show, you’ll get to try new styles and fun looks you’ve probably never done before.
Actress Tatum Dial said, “I had no idea how to do my makeup for my character Ursula, but thanks to the hair and makeup commitee, my makeup looked incredible. They’re a huge help to the whole cast!”
For the Xavier musicals, you work all four performances of the show, and can even attend the cast party, which is loads of fun. If you’re looking to get involved for Xavier’s “Into The Woods” in the spring, listen for announcements at the start of 2018, and attend the mandatory makeup meeting.
Head of the hair and makeup department, senior Ashlyn Bradshaw said, “Although hair and makeup is open to all grades, it’s easier to get involved as Freshman or Sophomore because you’ll have priority since once you’re on the team you’ve got a guaranteed spot for the following shows. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get in, there are still a ton of opportunities to do hair and makeup for the Brophy plays.”
If all of this sounds great to you, start practicing your hair and makeup tricks, and come apply for the hair and makeup team for the spring show!