Falling into character
Costumes, hair, makeup transport actors into their roles
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, January 21, 2015
ARVIAT
What the audience sees on stage isn't the only magic taking place within a theatrical production.
Kimberley Dymond preps and coiffs Shelby Angalik for the role of Cindy Lou Who in the John Arnalukjuak High School drama club's production of How The Grinch Stole Christmas in Arviat. - photo courtesy of Gord Billard |
The skills brought to the show by those who apply makeup, create costumes and style hair are key to helping the actors immerse themselves totally into their roles.
Gord Billard directed the John Arnalukjuak High School production of How The Grinch Stole Christmas this past month.
Billard said he had an exceptional crew for the Grinch in Courtney Cribb (makeup), Kimberley Dymond (hair) and Charlene Paterson (costumes).
He said the skills the three bring to the table are very significant.
"I don't see the full potential of any of these young actors until the costume and makeup goes on," said Billard.
"That's when you see the real character emerging, and everything else up to that point has just been practice for this moment.
"It's those other elements outside of the actual acting that bring the character to life.
"The better the makeup and costumes, the easier it is for the actors to enter our imaginary world."
Paterson has been working on costumes for the Arviat troupe since 2003.
She said the part of the process that appeals to her most is seeing people come together through it all.
"Usually, because we have such limited supplies, it's really cool to see the ingenuity and creativeness come out among the school staff, community members and students," said Paterson.
"When it gets close to show time, everyone starts scrambling for costumes, materials and props.
"Some of the things to come out of the woodwork are pretty funny, and also revealing, given where we are, about how we're all living."
"I like the surprise aspect because there are a lot of skilled seamstresses in town who we don't really meet until these kinds of things happen."
Paterson said there was a lot of recycling of costumes this year because the Grinch had been done before.
She said a production like the Grinch is always more challenging than a play dealing with social issues.
"When it's a theme or social issue play, the kids are more likely to wear their own stuff, and more self-expression happens because they identify with the teenage characters.
"But with a musical like the Grinch, you really see their characters come to life.
"The sooner we can break out costumes, the better, because you usually meet a different character as soon as they're dressed to that degree.
"It has a profound impact because suddenly you go from having a teenage boy, to having a painted green Whoviller with things hanging off of him and hair coming out of his hands, and that's when they really buy in to the production."
Now in her second season with the drama club, Cribb took over Annette Atkinson's role of teaching makeup and overseeing the cosmetology club at JAHS.
That led to her and some of her students carrying on the tradition of doing makeup for the plays.
"I did some makeup stuff before because I was a figure skater, but never for an actual play," said Cribb.
"Gord (Billard) usually gives us an idea of what he wants the characters to look like, and they don't always have to look good.
"Sometimes they have to look really dingy and gross.
"It's more about making them look like the character they're supposed to be than making them look kind of pretty, or whatever."
Cribb said timing can often be quite challenging.
She said some children may want to do their eye makeup really well, but you have to hurry them along because three more have to be done before show time.
"You always have to be looking at your watch to have everything done on time.
"The makeup is important for videos and photographs, but it also makes the students really feel like they're someone else.
"They love it and can't wait to come in and get the makeup put on.
"They'll sit there for as long as you need them to, and that makes you feel like you're really making them into who they're supposed to be."
Cribb said once the play has begun, she often judges her own work while watching the proceedings.
She said she's always looking for ways to fine tune the makeup during the dress rehearsals.
"I would say I'm my own toughest critic.
"I want the kids to look good, the photographs to come out and everyone be pleased with the product.
"There's some students who I thought were really shy and not into makeup, but they really surprise me by how into it they get.
"When everyone's running around trying to get everything done, you really feel like you're all in it together, and that makes for a different atmosphere than what you would normally share with the students in the classroom."
