Calling

About three weeks ago, I made a magnificent discovery about my future.  To be cliché, you could say the lightbulb turned on or that lightning struck my brain in an altogether epic moment of awesome inspiration.  For as long as I can remember, I wanted to grow up to be an artist. Over time, my choice of specific art careers has changed from animator to Disney Imagineer to scenic designer. And that's where I thought my life was heading. For the past 6 years, I believed that I was going to become a scenic designer on Broadway and win a Tony for best scenic design. That was my ultimate goal in life. But February 16th, 2013 changed the game.

For the past two years I have interned with Indian Hill High School for their drama POW WOW productions of Footloose and Pirates of Penzance.  I began interning with the focus of scenic painting under the guidance of the school's hired set designer Matt Evans.  I enjoyed painting the set and learning new techniques Matt was kind enough to teach me but this year I had a curious feeling about the makeup department.  I decided that I wanted to try my hand at stage makeup and asked to assist with the makeup for the show.  Indian Hill's amazing director, Lisa Harris, generously agreed to let me help.  I had assumed I would follow the directions of the head of the makeup department and apply makeup to the general cast, nothing super specific and that I would be learning from someone hired.  Boy, was I wrong. I received a mass email shortly before the 16th, the day of the costume and makeup parade (the first time the actors would wear their costumes and makeup for a rehearsal) informing the cast what time to show up for makeup application and that a couple professionals would be there to assist them. I soon realized after talking to the person who sent those emails that I was included in the group she called "professionals." That's when I got super nervous. I kept imagining showing up and attempting to apply someone's makeup and then getting flustered when it wasn't what they wanted or if I was asked a question that I most certainly did not know the answer to... what was I going to do?????

Needless to say, my stomach was in knots at 7 am on that Saturday morning.  However, I attempted to act as cool as a cucumber in the freezer when I arrived.  I went to the makeup room and asked what I could do, the director turned to me and said that she would like me to start working on Will, the Pirate King.  My stomach did a flip.  Lisa had informed me a couple weeks before that she wanted the Pirate King to look like Johnny Depp, but I didn't realize that he would be my project.  I turned to see who the Pirate King was and I find myself staring at this tall, pale, reddish brown haired teenager.  I thought to myself, "Challenge accepted!" but simply said, "Alrighty."  Let me just say that morning was pure experimentation and common sense to achieve the desired look that they wanted. As I applied the makeup and the transformation began, I watched Will's reaction and the other cast members to what I was doing.  With each surprised exclamation of, "Will! Is that you?!", I knew I was heading in the right direction.  Once his wig was set and braided and after the addition of a bandana, I had created a new Jack Sparrow.  I could hardly contain my joy at this success!  After that morning, I drove to my parents and told my mom that it was official and that my grad school application would be for a spot in CCM's masters program for makeup and wig design.  (I may or may not have teared up a bit at that moment... okay I definitely cried but because I was so happy and it felt so natural that I couldn't imagine doing anything else for the rest of my life!)

Before and after of the Pirate King

Steps of Makeup Application for the Pirate King

1.) Foundation (face)

2.) Bronzer (face)

3.) Cheek definition

4.) Eyeshadow

5.) Eye liner/ Mascara

6.) Eyebrows

7.) Mascara beard

8.) Foundation (chest)

9.) Bronzer (chest)

10.) Mascara chest hair

11.) Stippling (chest)

12.) Wig and bandana

Come the following Wednesday, I returned to Indian Hill for another full dress rehearsal.  That's when the Major General got added to my list of characters to make up.  This job consisted of making an eighteen year old boy look like a sixty-five year old man, yeah, no biggie.  I'm joking.  Again, I experimented with what I'd seen of his makeup from the Saturday before and used my fine arts knowledge of the human figure.  Another success! Mind you, the only tools I had for aging were eyeshadows, eyeliner, q-tips and brushes.  But I did my best and was happy with my work.  I applied makeup for these two actors while occasionally assisting with other cast members and giving suggestions and guidance.   Both of my main characters took a good 45 minutes to an hour each between the many steps of makeup application, costumes, adding microphones and wigs and final touches.  So naturally, I spent my time bouncing back and forth between the two as well as drawing and touching up two tattoos on the arms of the first mate, Samuel.  I applied makeup four more times after that afternoon and I loved every minute of it. I even noticed that my application process became an easier pattern and that after watching the actors on stage I changed little details here and there to achieve the best effect.  For example, I added shadowing to Major General's neck to help the aging look more natural.

Before and after of the Major General

Steps of Makeup Application for Major General

1.) Foundation

2.) Eyeshadow

3.) Cheek definition

4.) Age lines

5.) Blending

6.) Blush

7.) Eyeliner/ Mascara

8.) Define/ Blend neck

9.) Wig

10.) Facial hair

11.) Eyebrows

12.) Touch up blending

That week was one of the happiest of my life because it was such a surprising success!  I now feel confident in my career path that I am on my way to great things!  I plan on spending the next year and more working on every Indian Hill performance and makeup gig that I am able, in order to build my resume and experience for my grad school application and for my future.  I still can't believe how quickly everything just clicked and fell into place.  God's doing, I'm sure.

I took over 7,000 photos of all four performances combined.  Here are a few of my favorites of the Pirate King and Major General.

My thanks go out to Lisa Harris, Liz Hook, Jason Hauslein, Will Jaroszewicz, Zach Wittington, Robin Schwanekamp, Cheri West, Anne Jaroszewicz, Jake Rhoad, Animaesh Manglik, all the cast and crew members from The Pirates of Penzance and to all their parents who were so kind and supportive of me.  Without all of you, this experience would not have been the same.

From left to right: Zach (Major General), Me, Will (Pirate King), Jake (Samuel, the first mate)

And with this post, I am thrilled to announce that I will be doing Ursula's makeup for Indian Hill Middle School's production of The Little Mermaid this coming weekend.  And I will be sure to post about it.