Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, January 23, 2008

ARVIAT - The team of Danette Rookes on makeup and Charlene Sutton on costume design has been working on theatrical productions in Arviat for about four years.

Rookes is an art teacher who enjoys working with theatrical makeup.

Hairdresser and costume designer Charlene Sutton helps choir Whoviller, Wendy Shamee, prepare for How the Grinch Stole Christmas in Arviat this past month. - photo courtesy of Gord Billard

She said the biggest challenge to the process is often the kids who don't want to wear a lot of makeup.

"The director, Gord Billard, usually explains to me what he's looking for with each character," said Rookes.

"We did a play last year called Changes, in which a lot of the characters were tattooed Inuit women.

"I had to research that because the tattooing gets more extreme as the women get older.

"So, I actually had to learn a bit about the characters and I really enjoyed that."

Rookes said it takes about an hour to apply makeup for a show like the Grinch.

She said Billard does the Grinch himself, but she readies the rest of the characters and choir members.

"There are times we rush to do a touch-up just before the play because some kids sweat more than others.

"Some will get an itch and if they scratch or rub while wearing elaborate makeup, I'll have to wipe off some things and touch them up before they go on stage.

"There are also times we touch-up some characters during the intermission."

Rookes uses a combination of theatrical and store-bought makeup for the Arviat plays.

The Grinch's eerie green look was actually done with military camouflage makeup.

An artist can use a little too much makeup if they're not careful.

Rookes said she has seen photos of characters she has done that led to her correcting certain elements the next time around.

"Too much white will glow under the lights, so you have to take things like that and overall stage lighting into consideration.

"People appreciate the efforts of makeup and costume design.

"Charlene (Sutton) and I have been complimented many times on our work, as well as other teachers who have helped over the years.

"The actors use Wet Ones or Baby Wipes to remove most of it at the end of the show and, once they shower, they're all back to normal."