- Festival Theatre Wig Room: Backstage dressing room hallway, on the stage level.
- Tom Patterson Theatre Wig Room: Backstage dressing room hallway, near the Wardrobe Maintenance Room, on the lower level.
- Avon/Studio Wig Rooms: Second floor of the Avon Building, directly across from the elevator.
(I.A.T.S.E. LOCAL 357)
The Wigs and Makeup Department is made up of Wigmakers, Hairstylists, and Makeup Artists. The department provides hair and makeup services to realize the designer’s vision and help transform artists into the characters they portray.
This work may include custom-made wigs, toupees, hairpieces, beards, moustaches, eyebrows, false noses, scars, and other prosthetics.
Before Starting Your Contract
Once you are contracted by the Stratford Festival as an Artist, please do not change your hairstyle or hair colour without first consulting the Wigs and Makeup Department. Your current look may be required by the designers for a production.
If a Designer requests the use of your own hair onstage, the Wigs and Makeup Department will assist in maintaining the approved style for the duration of your contract, including giving haircuts. If you have specific hair or skin-related requirements, please discuss them with us prior to your first fitting whenever possible. You can reach out to us through our Associate Costume Director or the Wigs Venue Head for the relevant theatre (contact information listed at the side).
The Stratford Festival is committed to ensuring your comfort both onstage and offstage, and advance notice of any specific needs is greatly appreciated.
What To Bring In Your Kit
All Artists are required to provide their own basic stage makeup kit, which must include:
- Foundation to match your skin tone
- Neutral eye makeup, cheek colour, lipsticks and pencils
- Cotton balls or pads and other makeup removal tools
- Skincare and makeup removal products, as necessary,
- Facial tissue (e.g., Kleenex)
Any additional wig and makeup products required by the production will be provided, including false eyelashes, spirit gum and product for wig and facial hair removal.
Artists are expected to be able to apply a basic stage makeup look independently. The Wigs and Makeup Crew is always available to provide guidance and support. For more complex makeup requirements, the team will create a makeup chart and assist as needed.
During Rehearsals
Your first interaction with the Wigs and Makeup Department will typically take place during the early days or weeks of your contract at an initial wig fitting or hair consultation. At this time, you will meet the assigned Wigs Show Head, who will be your primary point of contact for all wigs and makeup matters related to your production.
Throughout the Season
Once your hair and makeup design has been established, the Wigs and Makeup Crew will work with you to ensure that it is executed consistently for every performance. Their work includes assisting with wigs, hairpieces and makeup before, during and after the performances, as well as securing hats, headdresses and microphones when required.
Each crew member supports multiple Artists, and they will work with you to establish a mutually-agreed upon schedule for assistance during performances.
All hairpieces and prosthetics will be maintained and cleaned regularly by the crew members to ensure your comfort and health, as well as the consistency of design throughout the season. If you feel that your look needs to be reassessed at any point, please speak with your Wigs Show Head or Stage Manager.
Tips for Working with Wigs and Makeup:
Wigs and facial hair are valuable, one-of-a-kind items. Please care for them by following these basic guidelines, along with any specific care instructions provided:
- Please do not eat, drink, or smoke while wearing facial hair.
- If you are wearing a hat or headdress, please wait to put it on until just before your entrance to preserve the dressing of your hair or wig.
- Please do not lie down while wearing a wig when not onstage.
- Please follow the directions you are given for removing wigs and facial hair to avoid unnecessary re-dressing or styling. A Wigs and Makeup team member will assist whenever possible.
- Please store your wig and facial hair on the provided Styrofoam block or box when not in use.
- You may be given special pins for quick changes and it is your responsibility to ensure they are available when needed.
- Hairpins are provided. They are expensive and in limited supply, so please hang on to them.
The text on this page was originally provided by Gerry Altenburg and updated by Amy McDougall January 2026
Questions? 
2026 Wigs and Makeup Seasonal Venue Heads:
Festival Theatre - Tracy Frayne
x2257, tfrayne@stratfordfestival.ca
Avon Theatre - Teddi Barrett
tbarrett@stratfordfestival.ca
Tom Patterson Theatre - Mallory Reeves
mreeves@stratfordfestival.ca
Studio Theatre - Melissa (Maloo) Veal
mveal@stratfordfestival.ca
Behind the Scenes, Wigs and Makeup, Macbeth
FESTIVAL FACT
Because actors are often cast in more than one show, actors change their look with realistic-looking fake moustaches, beards and sideburns, often made from yak hair.
When making a wig or hairpiece, each strand of hair is knotted through a fine mesh lace, by hand.
Photo to the right: Wigs and facial hair are used in almost every production at Stratford Festival. (Erin Samuell/Stratford Festival)
