MIDLAND, MI – Behind every great theatrical production is a team dedicated to ensuring every performer shines. The Midland Center for the Arts is taking steps to make backstage work more inclusive by hosting a unique workshop focused on hair styling for Black and Brown performers.
On Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, the Center will provide theater professionals with the skills to respectfully and effectively work with diverse hair textures. The workshop runs from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and will be led by Samantha Glasse, director of the Center’s production of Anne of Green Gables.
Participants will gain hands-on experience in techniques for styling different hair types. The session may also include an introduction to wig styling—valuable knowledge for professionals looking to expand their backstage expertise.
The event will be held backstage at the Midland Center for the Arts’ Little Theatre, 1801 W. St. Andrews Rd., Midland, MI 48640. The cost is $45 for the public and $35 for museum members. Members can register through their account to access the discount or contact the Ticket Office directly.
This initiative is part of a larger effort by the Center to make theater more inclusive and representative. A complementary virtual workshop on stage makeup for Black and Brown performers is scheduled for Jan. 18, 2025.
The makeup workshop will teach participants how to design and apply makeup tailored to performers with darker skin tones—a skill often overlooked in traditional theatrical training.
The Center’s efforts highlight an ongoing commitment to providing education that acknowledges the unique needs of performers of color. By equipping theater professionals with these essential skills, workshops like this aim to improve representation in the arts and foster an atmosphere of respect and care for all performers.
Registration is open online at midlandcenter.org, and spaces are limited. For more information, call the Midland Center for the Arts at (989) 631-8250.
