Working in the Theatre: Wigs

Working in the Theatre is featured in our new book, "American Theatre Wing, an oral history: 100 Years, 100 Voices, 100 Million Miracles." Learn more about the book at a.co/d/9A5qc9a.
Everyone knows that great wig work is important to the artistic process of creating theatre. But few know just how much work and skill go into producing the incredible design and execution of a wig. Paul Huntley, one of the most esteemed wig designers (and a past Tony Honoree), shares his career journey and spotlights the creative, economic, and technical processes of working in the hair and wig department. We enter his world through the Broadway production of A Bronx Tale, showcasing the interaction between designers and talent, resulting in one important goal - to complete the illustration of a character on stage.
For more information on A Bronx Tale, visit abronxtalethemusical.com/tour/.
American Theatre Wing’s Working in the Theatre documentary series features the most fascinating people on the stage, behind the scenes, and in the audience. From Tony Awards® and Obie Awards® winning artists to the next generation of theatre makers, we capture theatre’s inner-workings, industry luminaries, and unique stories that surround important work.
American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards® and home of and the Obie Awards®: for more information visit americantheatrewing.org.
#WorkingInTheTheatre #Season40
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[@itrickyalove]

This was in my recommended, no idea why. I'm not in the theatre, I have no plans to be in theatre. This is, however, incredibly interesting.

[@chespin9078]

You will find that there is no escape from the theater. Get out while you can. It's too late for the rest of us.

[@bronwentunes]

He sounds like Anton Ego from Ratitouille

[@drewpost1907]

I THOUGHT THE EXACT SAME THING!!!!!!!!

[@smidge_of_serotonin]

And even looks like him!

[@lilyann168]

omg he does

[@shirazshujaa2582]

@@smidge_of_serotonin if he takes of the one he's wearing off and puts on a dark flat back!!

[@john64-z]

Omg he does

[@MusicalMerle]

I just love every episode of the Working in the Theatre series because it just takes the time to explore the craftsmanship and history of it all, instead of rushing through it like many other videos do. Thanks for that, keep up the good work!

[@AmericanTheatreWing]

Thanks for watching, Merle!

[@stardropdreamer7929]

i enjoy that he's just as much of a dork as most drama kids in highschool. putting a beard on his face as a joke and then making a joke about it immediately afterwards BUT HE SOUNDS SO SERIOUS and its beautiful.

[@oluwashinaomisanya7487]

Once a theater nerd, always a theater nerd!🤓

[@waynen8022]

I had the great good fortune to meet Mr. Huntley many years ago when I lived in NYC through a friend who worked with him on various Broadway productions. I remember him being very charming and personable. He treated me to a look through a photo album of work he'd done for the theater and film. I vividly remember looking at photos of well known actors and actresses and being absolutely shocked that I was looking at wigs! His artistry is unmatched and I'd imagine his wigs have graced more productions than possible to count at this point. I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful glimpse into his life and work.

[@katwil89]

I could just listen to this man tell stories for hours. Wonderful voice and fascinating character.

[@chevydude658]

I love listening to him speak because he sounds extravagant and not in a flashy way. No camp. But very luxurious, and luxe, and deliberate, and thoroughly furnished!

[@JacksDejavu]

This is my career, and its so so wonderful to get to see folks interested in it! Thank you for putting together such a lovely video of Paul and his excellent team!

[@ChelliChan]

He looks fantastic for being in his eighties!

[@TheVagka]

partly because he's wearing one of his masterpieces, one might assume.

[@thevanillameringue]

Paul is a treasure. They don’t make em like this queen anymore. I bet he has some STORIES! And I would sit and listen to every single word.

[@ovh992]

There are wig makers and wig masters. This man is a master of his class!

[@katelynnbrickey7709]

The amount of detail they put in for even smaller roles is very interesting and appreciated. The fact he makes his own wigs is impressive and how he noticed the subtle differences makes it look more real.

[@charliem.8660]

You can really tell he's passionate about wig making. His method of making finer types of wigs changed the art itself. I'm trying to get into wig styling more, and this video was a really good motivator.

[@nm3750]

RIP to a great artist - Paul Huntley. Your work has inspired so many!

[@sammysoppy3361]

Those are amazing. When they slipped that first wig on the girl it looked indistinguishable from normal hair like wow. That’s talent and artistry and he deserves all the money he can get for that.

[@eatingtheunicorn]

this is bizarre but I totally recognized paul's work from fun home. I just saw the wigs and how amazing they were, remembered the detailed handicraft from the fun home wigs, and bam. he'd done them.

[@emilynn3732]

I always appreciate those who can design wigs because the intricate designs that are on the wigs are amazing. It takes so long to master period hairstyles, let alone one as a wig. Seeing the details he implemented into the wigs, such as root color, amazes me due to how much it can make the wigs look better.

[@bway_car08]

It truly is amazing to see what goes into making wonderful Broadway productions :)

[@adriennemeredith3955]

Thrilled to watch this! Like Paul, I was also trained as a wig maker at Wig Creations, Old Burlington Street, London but in 1984. Brought back so many memories. Wonderful to see the craft still alive. Thank you for making this film.

[@lylux4985]

You were SO lucky, to work for Wig Creations!!

[@misled1982]

I want him to say "I don't like food. I LOVE it. If I don't love it, I don't swallow"

[@marissakayeconnelly]

This made me so happy and excited since A Bronx Tale is my absolute favorite show.

[@cutegirl8128]

King of the front lace

[@wllm4785]

Wow. Wig designers make enough to buy that huge posh NYC house? SIGN ME UP!!

[@healinggrounds19]

His wigs goes for thousands. He ( and his staff) hand stitch and knot each hair. Plus he is smart and gets stock and residuals in the shows.

[@LaDivinaLover]

Not to mention I’m sure he bought that house in the 70’s a lot more space back then lols.

[@jukodebu]

what is stock and residuals@@healinggrounds19

[@shirazshujaa2582]

He was born in a well off family like All those in entertainment industry,no chance for us common folk in this game.you hear his accent, 💯 private school education, do you or your friends sound like that? Didn't think so.Parents already lived in manhatan during early 90s, where they get the money for that,whilst most live in the bronx, if they had 2 properties back then bought for 200,000 now they worth in their millions.when he dies it will passed on to his family that's how they stay elite and live in the most expensive areas of any city.

[@brandireichert6941]

I could listen to him forever , I think he is quite handsome.

[@gabrielherrera4607]

I appreciate how hard they work for the wigs so I can just imagine how hard they work for the full play

[@mck268]

RIP Paul, and thank you so very much.

[@emitorium5339]

Super cool seeing the thought process and steps that are made to make just a single wig, and then the handy uses wigs have with the mic packs? Bonkers man.

[@christinad4432]

I love this kind of , behind the scenes type stuff. I’m not a big theater fan and I’ve never been to a broadway show, but I find the BTS, how it’s done type stuff absolutely fascinating!

[@caroline456]

So glad this was in my recommended as a cosplayer and actor! And I never knew he originated the idea of shading wig roots! I do that with my wigs!

[@redsloane879]

Wow! If you can afford a hand knotted, lace front, human hair wig (as a private citizen), they are the best!! What a fantastic documentary!!!

[@mykelcohen]

What an amazing episode. Thank you!

[@smidge_of_serotonin]

If they make ratatouille a live action movie, they already have Anton Ego

[@SEH221]

I adore this series! I'd love to see one about management or arts admin in the future!

[@nathanieljones6712]

Such amazing conversation!!

[@arellaflur5753]

Woh...this blew my mind. Wow.

[@darbyzworld]

Thank you for this. As a set and costume designer I find this invaluable. . . . . .

[@londonschoolofwigmaking5793]

RIP Mr Huntley

[@LaDivinaLover]

Absolutely fascinating! He has known and worked with some rather extraordinary people in his lifetime. Simply amazing!

[@ghiafam508]

What a great talent he was.

[@judydennis1242]

Awesome! Wonderful artistic craft. Enjoyed this video very much. I worked in a wig salon as a stylist in early 70's. Loved .💖

[@henrybell3476]

I appreciated the amount of time and effort they put into each wig it shows how dedicated they are.

[@haileybenavidez3]

I like that they design their own wigs

[@JPLEYONKO4]

We need a tony category for this.

[@prismaticmarcus]

RIP Mr. Huntley

[@kylieharris4926]

I really loved seeing the process of making wigs! I feel like it'd be so tedious at first but become relaxing once you got the hang of it.

[@kalinamejiaa]

This is very interesting to watch and it must take so much time to make one wig in general. I’ve always admired wardrobe department because they put so much time and effort into making magic and clothing and helping the actor become the characters.

[@maddietillem6778]

Who else would really want to have this job?

[@MissLarylicious]

luckily I have this job :)

[@cheserii7772]

I worked as a wig supervisor for ten years. It’s a great job.... if you are cool with not having a social life or ever seeing your family again. Kiss holidays and sick days goodbye too. Technicians don’t have understudies.

[@jenellapresleyvisuals]

But is heeeeeeee wearing a hair piece? His work is so good!

[@kidnap2010]

He does wear them since the 80's obviously from his pictures. This wig looks great on him, except its not very good at the back unfortunately; But I guess none dares to tell him to shortened it, so it looks more natural. As they say : "shoemaker has the worst shoes..."

[@lolarosa2295]

Legendary. This really makes me interested in wig making.

[@tommiehayes1095]

The making of the wigs is a amazing but long thing I love to look at wigs they inspired me

[@fayspaint]

my dream job

[@andreawilliams8342]

Amazing, thank you for sharing!

[@snowman72891]

This was surprisingly fascinating. He is such an interesting man. And btw, he looks GREAT for someone who is in his 80s.

[@carlitosjime]

rest in peace legend

[@daffydeb5648]

This is so interesting. Bravo for the great artistry of wig making!!! :) Blessings..... :)

[@tishsmiddy71]

Thank you 😊 Gorgeous wigs

[@Macckk100]

Is he wearing a wig? Iconic lol

[@jacobvaldez4803]

Amazing how one wig can tell such a story

[@dramaticpotato6837]

What happens to the wigs after the production? Do they go into storage in hopes that they'll be used again someday? Or do the actors get to keep them because they're custom made?

[@carlitosjime]

they get used as a base for a new custom one until it cant anymore. so many wigs on stage are just a lot of cut up wigs sewn together

[@local_disk]

Who else was forced to watch this by their theater teacher

[@filizilhan6495]

Kaliteli tiyatro oyunu için piyes ve oyuncular dışında gerekli olan ilk şey karakteri Tam yansıtmaya yardımcı MAKYAJDIR kostümden önce.. . Masrafları karşılayacak tiyatro sayısı azdır!!! Seramik çalışma çabası, maaliyeti ve yeterli zaman gerektirir! Ziynet eşyası karakteri pahalıdır. Birçok tiyatronun iflas nedenidir!!!

[@sydney-ut9qq]

I like how he describes that a wig represents a characters personality, rich or poor, style or no style. I also think that it's a lot of effort to make a wig, because they have to pull in every hair and you have to make it look natural.

[@oliverdavis2422]

In his 80s !!!

[@boredinsomniac9874]

Wow! One hair at a time... How do you even have that much patience?!

[@finakhan5221]

I had the pleasure of meeting Paul. I started my wig Carrere in Canada in the 80s. Trained in England as a wig maker now work in film, no longer make wigs but I teach the fundamentals of working and caring and styling wigs, and also teach period hairstyling. I m sort after for my work so grateful for the experience Working and heading Department and the many people who shared their knowledge, Paul, Peter Owen in England, Sherry Naysmith at the Shaw Festival, Martha Gleason at the Canadian Opera Company and the many costume designers and actors in Theatre in Toronto.🙏🏻❤️❤️

[@lylux4985]

Tried the other way to lay lace ( up and down pattern) not impressed.

[@jimmyjim3296]

Teach me!(;(;

[@healinggrounds19]

He has internships.

[@londonschoolofwigmaking5793]

Come to my NYC class

[@slashnyaoi]

he 100% looks like a person who makes wigs

[@carollollol]

Wauw you should rent these for weddings! They dont look like wigs at all.

[@kkdoc7864]

Hope someone else designed his wig.

[@jukodebu]

I thought it was the black girls that came up with colorin the roots on a wig

[@lylux4985]

Nope.

[@user-ev9ib1zs2f]

Can he be my history teacher?

[@morganolfursson2560]

If you're not doing wig, you're not doing , Theater.

[@john64-z]

Some of the music sounds like its taken from stranger things

[@LoveTorrieee]

His mom is literally tammi brown

[@johnmcgrath3725]

You think he has a wig??? NOOOOO! LOLOLO. his looks TERRIBLE!