VIDEO: Makeup Artists Brian Strumwasser, Thelma Pollard Show How They're Changing The Faces of Broadway

The newest video in the American Theatre Wing's "Working In Theatre" series offers a fascinating look at the work of two Broadway makeup artists, Brian Strumwasser and Thelma Pollard.

Strumwasser got his start on Broadway in the 2012 production of END OF THE RAINBOW, where his main job was to believably transform blonde-haired, blue-eyed Tracie Bennett into Judy Garland, but his segment of the video focuses on the challenging task of creating looks for the eight different characters Jefferson Mays played in A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER. Performance footage shows how quick costume changes also include the speedy removal and reapplication of makeup.

While Strumwasser creates diagrams for each actor so they can apply their own makeup eight times a week, Pollard works steadily at the Majestic Theatre, where the Broadway production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has been running for over 28 years, since many of the makeup requirements demand her expertise. Though the years she has seen many changes in the types of makeup available and has had to adapt designs for a multitude of performers.

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