Actor allergic to wigs
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Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Directing
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Topic: Actor allergic to wigs
Posted By: jayzehr
Subject: Actor allergic to wigs
Date Posted: 10/12/07 at 12:33pm
| So I'm working on a production of The Mineola Twins by Paula Vogel which calls for extensive use of wigs (starting with the subtitle of the play) and a lot of costume changes. To make a long story short, with three weeks to go it comes to our attention that the actor playing the lead role has significant allergies to a variety of fabrics and, as it appears to turn out, all the wigs that have been obtained so far. ( These are all synthetic wigs) Anybody have any ideas? I was thinking of a human hair wig perhaps, but I don't know if this would be allergenic either. |
Replies:
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 10/12/07 at 1:02pm
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How would the actor go with wearing a cotton stocking cap under the
wig. There are also bandage type skull caps available from the chemist. I asume a plastic swim cap or a latex make up cap would cause the actor the same problem. ------------- Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house} |
Posted By: Nanette
Date Posted: 10/12/07 at 1:06pm
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Could the actor wear a wig cap under the wig? If not, then human hair will probably be your best bet.
However, human hair wigs are considerably more expensive, complex to style and shape, and must be looked after much more. They will, though, outlast synthetic wigs when properly cared for. Be sure to check the quality and the moisture in the human hair wig prior to purchase. ------------- In a world of margarine, be butter! |
Posted By: eveharrington
Date Posted: 10/13/07 at 1:44am
The actor didn't tell you he had prolific fabric allergies when auditioning for a part that requires multiple wigs!??  Have you seen any proof of this allergy, I've witnessed men go to some extreme lengths to try and avoid make-up and wardrobe requirements.  ------------- "If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights." |
Posted By: TonyDi
Date Posted: 10/15/07 at 8:36am
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Further it may have NOTHING whatsoever to do with the synthetic hair compounds but rather irritation from the materials used in the base of the wig itself - such as the stretchy mesh they use in the wig base or the straps or some other element other than the synthetic hair itself. You could TRY a human hair wig, and if the problem then still persists, then you'll know it's not the synthetic hair but rather the wig base cap to begin with. I DO however, agree wholeheartedly with EVE with this business of people not WANTING to wear wigs - men or women - just to get out of that by faking or attesting to allergies. I think for the most part it's bogus. I'm not saying people don't have allergies. EVEN I have allergies. But you know what, most of the time, I totally ignore them and I think in doing so, for me, they never become quite the issue that someone who pampers an allergy has to deal with. I am not diminishing their conditions by saying so in any way. I don't mean to do that. I think it's a matter of being a bit of a whiner - I've seen that EVERY TIME someone has to wear a wig onstage. Personally I love it. Sure they make me itch a little bit but I can survive it if it helps the look, the intent of the author and moves the show along as it is intended to do. AND when it calls for it, and as EVE said, if they KNEW what it would involve and didn't say anything at the outset, that's their fault. Crazy stuff. And again someone else said it - try a cotton cap if possible. Keep the latex away from them. Maybe it's latex that 's a problem. Latex in elastic in the wig base or something else. Sounds like a way to not have to wear the wigs though if you ask me. And maybe that's unfair if this person truly does have significant allergic issues. But otherwise, I guess you're stuck with an actor who CAN'T wear a wig. What does that mean for your next move when the show CALLS for it? Hard to say. GOOD LUCK. Oh yes, and there ARE injections and pills their doctor can prescribe to alleviate any problems that come from the exposure to those things to which they're allergic so THAT should be considered as a means to get past their problem. Like...duh!! I wonder why THEY didn't think of that one. Tell you why!! They don't WANT to wear the wigs. TonyDi
Oh by the way, you may be able to try a barrier cream of some sort on their skin too in order to aid a little bit in protecting them from being bothered by it. Tough spot with only three weeks left to go. Just for the fun of it, and if the show actually DEMANDS that the lead actor wear a wig and it's integral to the show, tell them that you'll just have to replace them and watch to see if they "give in" and become the martyr and wear the wigs "being the trooper they are"!! THAT would be an interesting test. I'm so bad. I'll shut up now. ------------- "Almost famous" |
Posted By: Linda S
Date Posted: 10/15/07 at 10:08am
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From someone with a latex allergy; the reaction can be far more signifigent then a topical rash. Please check with him before you invest in human hair wigs. If his allergies are that severe he should have told you upfront. That was not fair. It is the same as casting someone to play a trapeze artist then having them tell you that they are afraid of heights! Is this one more question we have to put on the audition form: Please list any allergies, medical conditions or phobias that you have that would keep you from being able to do this role? I am ranting. Sorry, but being surprised by an actor's hidden medical conditions and phobias hit a nerve this morning. I just had actress tell me she's feeling "stressed" and needs a change. Well, now I'm stressed! I'm not sure if she's going to cut her hair, or move to the otherside of the world! I'll stop now.
Linda
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Posted By: biggertigger
Date Posted: 10/15/07 at 1:00pm
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Linda, I have been there with tempermental actors. I was directing "Steel Magnolias" and wanted the actress playing Shelby to dye her hair the color of the bobbed wig we needed. This was clearly asked of every actress on the audition sheet. The actress was willing to dye her hair, we ordered the wig a nice auburn color (since all the other actresses had blonde, brown, and black hair this would give her some contrast on stage). The wig came in and set the appointment up to match the colors.
The actress said she never agreed to color her hair. The producer pulled out her audition form showing she agreed to have her hair cut and colored at the discretion of the director. She was also a huge part of the hair design process.
Seeing as we had no time to re-order a matching wig, she reluctantly had her hair dyed.
At any rate, when ever I have a specific look for a character I make it clear during the audition that whoever is hired may be required to change hair color, cut hair, wear a wig, use color contacts, perform in the nude, etc.
That was the only time I had an issue with an actress, even during "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress" I never had an issue with the actress that had to bare her breast. Which was ironic because she wont change in front of people back stage. ------------- The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes. |
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 10/16/07 at 12:14am
When I did "Steaming' many years ago, which has 6 naked women on stage. The Lead in the show who 'dares to bare' first before the interval. always had a dresser to hand a her a bath towel, when ever she came off stage, as did the other 5 would also cover up as well. The Lead would jion the crew for a coffee & smokeO at the loading dock, at half time. However as soon as th moronic Venue Manger, realised she was out the back with us, he began to hang around like a bad smell. He only ever fronted backstage to complain normally, so the reason for his presence was obvious - the deviate! Anyhow he eventualy after about a week, asked the question of her, why he had to engage a dresser to cover her in a towel when ever she came off stage? The crew looked at each other in disbelief, which proved this wooden top was indeed a pathetic yoyo! She blew her stack & gave him both barrels. saying "You  , on stage I'm playing a character role - off
stage I'm ME!He never came backstage again for the rest of the run - I wonder why  ?Unfortunetly however two security gaurds [the prduction employed] at the next show, were instructed by the SM to remove an intruder from the Fly floor during the show. Of course it was the venue Manager - the clown  ! Of course the crew had nothing to with informing the SM about the stanger on the Fly Floor ]{Sorry back on topic again} ------------- Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house} |
Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 10/16/07 at 11:06am
| Well, thanks for the input everyone. I'm not sure what is going to happen, but I am going to take the advice of adding a question about allergies and medical conditions to future audition forms. |
Posted By: biggertigger
Date Posted: 10/16/07 at 7:11pm
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Sorry to change topic (again).
Joe, I was more surprised when she auditioned and I told her the character she was auditioning for had to bare her breast, she told me she had not problems doing that.
 I have always used "this is not you this is the character" statement many times. (I can't say that, I can't do that, thats not me....etc.) ------------- The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes. |
Posted By: Cparkinson
Date Posted: 6/30/08 at 5:47pm
hello everyone, I see that this is a bit old news now, but I just wanted to share some good information in response. I found this great site for human hair wigs of all sorts: http://www.undetectablewigz.com/ - lace front wigs I hope it is of some use in your work and that the allergies don't cause too much aggravation. What type of production is that, I don't know it? |
Posted By: TonyDi
Date Posted: 7/08/08 at 7:41am
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Another link - actually better wigs - comparably priced but a little higher in some cases PLUS moustaches, beards, eyebrows, custom stuff. Friend of mine in Sweden doing incredible work though he has contracted to have some stuff made for his shop - but still high quality Chinese hand made. He was makeup artist and wig maker for the Gothenburg Opera company for many years. NOW running his own shop.
Check it out.
http://www.makeup-fx.com/webshop/wigs.html - http://www.makeup-fx.com/webshop/wigs.html
TonyDi ------------- "Almost famous" |