CHRISTIANNE BAKEWELL COSTUME DESIGN
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Teaching as a Theatre Artist

4/30/2018

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I have always enjoyed teaching, and now that I have my MFA I am qualified to teach at the collegiate level. This excites me and opens up some fun opportunities like the one I was able to have teaching a wig workshop in Virginia. 
When I was working towards my masters degree I worked at Virginia Shakespeare Festival for two summers. While there I worked as the cutter/assistant designer and formed a close relationship with my work team and designer. She happens to be the head of the costume department at a Virginia university. Before graduating a design opportunity was offered to me, but unfortunately I was still in classes and the timing was not going to work out. After graduating I was approached again, but this time to come and teach a workshop on one of my other passions, wigs. 
​There was a small class of students learning to style wigs as a semester long class, but my workshop was to be a supplement to their course. I would teach ventilating, which is something I enjoy doing. I spoke with the designer and shop head and we created a weekend workshop to introduce students to theatrical hair ventilating and construction. I had a blast teaching. 
Unlike a regular class where students are required to attend, this workshop was full of students who wanted to be there. They were all very enthusiastic about learning and asked very specific and well thought out questions. The workshop was made up of college students, staff, and professors who wanted to learn the basics of theatrical hair creation. I could not have asked for a better class. 
I hope to continue to teach as I work my way up in my career. I enjoy sharing the information I received while interning, working, etc. ​​

Photo: Some of my students practicing taking a head "mold" on a fellow classmate. Their energy was great and everyone was willing to jump in and try their hands at whatever I threw at them. 

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"I can do that"

9/19/2016

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After finishing up my summer stock contract, I was just moseying around my apartment, packing for my big trip across the pond. I had some extra time with nothing really to do, so I reached out to some local overhire opportunities as well as some of the theatres I used to work for to see if they had any job I could do. 

Lo and behold, one did!

The Omaha Community Playhouse was one of the first places I worked after graduating from undergrad. I enjoyed the people and theatre there very much. They were one of the places I contacted, and they snapped me up very quickly. Originally I went in just to bring to life some of their older Christmas Carol wigs (they were balding and needed some ventilating). 

Once I was there working, the resident designer asked if I would style some wigs for the upcoming musical, Sister Act. I said, "I can do that!"

Next I was asked by the associate designer to style a wig for her show, To Kill A Mockingbird. Again, I said "I can do that!"

It is important to me to say "yes" as much as I can. That small little word opens so many doors and opportunities. Not only did I style the wigs for Sister Act, but working with the designer, she had me design then as well. This lovely design credit and experience would never have happened if I had not have said "yes". 
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Wig Styling

8/11/2013

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For all of you who have ever wanted to style a wig for a costume, cosplay, or show, below is my VERY simplified basic four steps for creating a bun updo with a lace front real hair wig. 
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Step one: After refronting the wig with the actress' hairline, it is blocked on a head block. (Tip: Wet your bias tape so it follows the curve of the lace better)
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Step two: The wig is roller set with setting lotion mixed with water to give it body and direction. (Tip: get the hair sections soaking with the lotion. The hair will work better for you)
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Step three: After being placed in the dryer, the rollers are taken out, the hair is gently combed and styled. (Tip: Teasing the base of the hair or adding in an additional hair "rat" can add even more volume to a wig. Especially if you are making an updo)
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Step four: Finish with a little setter. You may also want to cover the bun or other parts of the wig with a hairnet if you are using it for more than a few shows/cosplays/etc. This will keep flyaway hairs tamer longer. (Actress: Katrina Scoggins-Fiddler on the Roof)
There are many ways to style a wig. This is a jumping off point for anyone who wants to see the basics. 
If using a synthetic hair wig, which is cheaper and handles more wear and tear, you could use other securing mediums. I have cosplayer friends who use glue, hairspray, gafquat (style in a very well ventilated area for this product!) or even spray paint to keep those crazy hair shapes. 

Question of the Post

There are many crazy and beautiful hairstyles that can be done with wigs. What's your favorite character (TV, Movie, Stage) with crazy out of this world hair?

Mine? Take a gander at my portfolio and Truffaldino from Servant of Two Masters. 
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