Theatre students Lucy Jeffery and Carol Chu pose for a photo, showcasing their transformations into the characters of Kyle and Marshall, in Langara College’s Studio 58 play "Baggage," on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Photo by Hazel Love

Studio 58 students transform themselves with their makeup skills for a new play

The effort of the actors goes beyond what you see on stage

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Photos and story by HAZEL LOVE

Imagine having to live with all your exes. That’s the story behind Baggage, Studio 58’s October production. It follows the heroine, Jill, as she navigates a new relationship with Ben while still carrying emotional baggage from her past relationships. The cast, primarily women dressed as men, portrays her exes as living reminders that inhabit her apartment. Student Carol Chu said females and non-binary actors in masculine roles were an integral part of the play’s humour.

Studio 58, based at Langara College, offers an intensive program incorporating acting and producing. Theatre student Lucy Jeffery was attracted to this program from a young age after watching their first show. “I still have the ticket stub,” said Jeffery, who felt that seeing that production changed their life. 

The plays are collaborative, and students will experiment different roles. Students work alongside designers when developing their characters, but most students enjoy figuring out hair and make-up aspects themselves.

Baggage is a culmination of Langara’s theatre students’ hard work and passion both on stage and behind the scenes.  

Theatre student Carol Chu attaches a false moustache to her face, transforming her into her character of Marshall in Baggage at Langara College’s Studio 58 on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Chu’s make-up and hair styling is self-taught, guided by the designers’ vision. Chu created a realistic, masculine, finished look for her character by playing around with various facial hair techniques. Initially, she used make-up to give the appearance of a shadow but felt something was missing. After trying on a facial hair piece, which she applies with a strong adhesive called Spirit Gum, she felt like she could step into her character’s body and mannerisms. Photo by Hazel Love

 

Carol Chu’s make-up sits on her backstage station while she prepares for her part in Baggage at Langara College’s Studio 58 on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Photo by Hazel Love

 

Theatre student Lucy Jeffery attaches a false moustache to their face, transforming them into the character of Kyle in Baggage at Langara College’s Studio 58 on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Jeffery believes the modern play will connect with the audience because it touches on relatable issues. The play personifies many people’s emotional baggage and how they deal with it. Some people cannot let go and move on to find peace in new relationships, just like the heroin, Jill. Jeffery plays one of Jill’s ex-boyfriends and feels connected to parts of the character, like Kyle’s sensitivity and vulnerability. Photo by Hazel Love

 

Mannequins hold false facial hair, ready for the cast of Studio 58’s Baggage to apply before the show on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Langara College. Students work alongside costume designers who give them tips and tricks to develop their character. Support is available when needed, but most students enjoy figuring out hair and make-up aspects themselves. A week of wig prep is part of the process, and students will design their character’s physical traits during this time. Lucy Jeffery said adding facial hair allowed them “to drop in deeper” to Kyle’s character. Photo by Hazel Love

 

The cast of Studio 58’s Baggage prepares backstage for the show before their performance at Langara College on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Everyone supports each other and works together to get ready, while many practice their lines and implement unique warm-up techniques taught in the Studio 58 program. The program is well known for its quirky and dynamic teaching and has produced top-tier actors. Students Carol Chu and Lucy Jeffery chose the program for its well-rounded and balanced theatrical curriculum.     Photo by Hazel Love.

 

Theatre student Lucy Jeffery styles their hair into pin curls to give the appearance of short hair, transforming them into the character of Kyle in Baggage at Langara College’s Studio 58 on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Photo by Hazel Love

 

A backstage cupboard at Langara College’s Studio 58 holds costumes for the various plays performed there. Wednesday, Oct.9. Photo by Hazel Love

 

Theatre student Carol Chu poses for a photo, showcasing her transformation into her character of Marshall in Langara College’s Studio 58 play Baggage, on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Chu said Studio 58’s theatre is an “intense space” where the actors are so close to the audience, meaning makeup can be more subtle. The main goal is to ensure stage lighting doesn’t wash the actors out, and Chu will focus on fundamental, basic makeup, focusing on her facial hair pieces to get into character. At the night’s end, she said removing her makeup is like removing a mask as she steps back into her body. Photo by Hazel Love

 

Theatre student Lucy Jeffery poses for a photo, showcasing their transformation into the character of Kyle in Langara College’s Studio 58 play Baggage, on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Jeffery wanted to attend Studio 58’s theatre program ever since seeing a production of Antony and Cleopatra when they were in high school. They said they love the intensive program that will develop all the skills needed to pursue a creative career in the theatre industry. Photo by Hazel Love

 

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