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Beyond the spotlights

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, November 10, 2010

ARVIAT - While actors and directors get the accolades, the unsung artists of the theatre work amidst backstage chaos to bring the magic to life.

NNSL photo/graphic

Charlene Paterson adjusts Soloman Nungnik's apron before he hits the stage to perform in A Thanksgiving to Remember in Arviat this past month. - photo courtesy of Gord Billard

Their wizardry with costumes and makeup allow actors and audiences to immerse themselves in the world of make-believe.

John Arnalukjuak High School teacher Charlene Paterson has been in charge of costumes for numerous student drama club productions during her seven years in Arviat.

Paterson said the kids can't wait to get the costumes they'll be wearing.

She said practising lines is one thing, but a change takes place with the costumes.

"When we dress them into character and put on their makeup, a transformation does occur," said Paterson.

"That's when they believe they've become their character and a huge excitement comes with that."

Paterson said once costumes are assigned, actors become totally committed.

She said if there was any uncertainty or nervousness among them, it fades quickly once they get their costumes.

"Once a production is decided upon, we immediately do a list of everything we need.

"I ask the community to bring us any old clothing, hats or accessories people may have been thinking about throwing out or recycling.

"I ask around a lot to find specific items instrumental to the production we're doing."

The Grinch show required many special items, with the title costume being sewn from scratch.

Paterson said when something like the Grinch comes along, she'll often enlist the aid of a local seamstress.

"More often than not, it will be basic patterns thrown together at the last minute and sewn using scrap material.

"You have to make the truly unique stuff because there's no borrowing it here."

Paterson said it amazes her how they keep finding items they need, especially things you wouldn't expect to see in the North.

"It's beyond me how some items find their way here.

"We attract decades worth of fashions that trickled through Arviat because they've become outdated.

"We've definitely been resourceful when it comes to the costumes."

Paterson is usually too focused on her craft to monitor the crowd's reaction to the costumes.

There are times, however, when the response just can't be ignored.

"The Grinch was incredible because that character was so dramatic.

"Children would start crying and people were into it in such an amazing way that you had to take note of it.

"Even backstage you heard the gasps and screams, and you knew it was all related to how he looked."

Paterson said the excitement generated in the kids keeps her coming back.

She said seeing them so empowered by their roles is an amazing experience.

"I'm not really doing anything for them, except providing the props.

"The fact they take those props and turn them into something magic is what makes me want to keep watching."

Cosmetology teacher Annette Atkinson taught drama this past year while director Gord Billard was on a year's leave from the school.

Atkinson said she truly enjoys doing makeup for the young actors, and she had a number of her cosmetology students help out for the production of A Thanksgiving to Remember this past month.

"I was really impressed with the job my students did, and that they came in on their own time to help," said Atkinson.

"Some may look at post-secondary studies in hairstyling or cosmetology and every bit of experience helps, especially with hair, but theatre-based makeup is a very different style than what somebody wanting to open their own salon would use.

"It's also valuable to any-one thinking about being a makeup artist and, when I studied in college, we took both everyday makeup and theatre-based makeup."

Atkinson ran an extracurricular cosmetology Skills Canada club in Arviat this past year, which she plans on starting again.

She hopes to get club members involved with makeup for the next production.

"The cosmetology program is going quite well, and I have one student whose goal is to take a two-year program and then return to Arviat and open her own salon.

"I've been really encouraging her because we don't have one in Arviat, so it would be a great opportunity for her to make a good living."

Atkinson said good makeup can help actors get into their roles more.

She said that's often especially true for male actors who've never worn foundation, eyeliner or lip gloss before.

"The guys were pretty resistant the first day, but by the third show they'd be hollering for their makeup.

"The makeup helps them transform into somebody or something they're not.

"It take them out of their own space and deeper into the role they're playing."