Today we’d like to introduce you to Raegan Calvert
Hi Raegan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always enjoyed live entertainment, but I think I fully dove into the world of theatre in middle school when I signed up for the school play. I was on the props team and that’s when I really fell in love with the thrill of the stage, or backstage more specifically. I taught myself how to sew and got more into the costuming side of technical theatre. I made costumes and dabbled in wig styling all throughout high school, for theatre and for personal projects, when I found out about Webster University’s Conservatory program. Attending Webster seemed like a no brainer, it was one of the handful of schools that offered an actual degree in wig and makeup design, and it was close to home and my family. I applied, got accepted and attended The Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University. I graduated in May of 2023 with my BFA in wig and makeup design with a second emphasis in costume construction. While in school I worked all around the St. Louis area at various different theaters, and have continued to after graduation.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Fortunately, my family has always been incredibly supportive of my decision to pursue technical theatre. My parents have always been my number one fans and the best support system I could ever ask for. That being said, the Conservatory program was not a walk in the park. Freshman year I was taking normal graduation requirement classes from 8am-1pm, then theatre specific classes from 1pm-6pm, and then I was working on current productions from 7pm-11pm. The program was brutal, long days, difficult classes, and a massive range of topics covered from every aspect of theatre production. I took lighting classes, scenic design classes, if there was a niche job in theatre, there’s a solid chance I took a class on it. While it was draining and my veins probably had more caffeine than blood in them, getting to see all sides of production really did give me an appreciation for everything my colleagues do. Then, a little more than halfway through my freshman year, the pandemic hit, and threw everything into chaos. We all were there and struggling so I won’t go on about it, but I will say it’s pretty difficult to put on a show when we can’t get into a theater.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I kind of market myself as a “jack of all trades” type, but my bread and butter so to speak is makeup and wig making. As a makeup artist, I primarily do special effects, utilizing an airbrush and prosthetics to create dramatic and striking looks. The makeup side of my art is a lot more limited in where I work, predominantly doing makeup for Fright Fest at Six Flags St. Louis. As a wig artisan, I have made wigs for Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and lent a hand styling wigs and helping run shows for a few other companies. Outside of those, I have worked backstage as a dresser, assisting with quick changes backstage, working in the shops as a craftsperson, focusing on creating and accumulating accessories and other wearable pieces that aren’t just shirts or pants or such.
My favorite work I’ve done is probably my makeup, I just absolutely love the creativity behind it, and being able to fully transform someone into an entirely unrecognizable creature. The before and after is so cool to me and I love pushing the boundaries of what the human face can look like.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory was getting to go and see The Lion King at the Fox Theater for the first time. After seeing all of the stunning costumes and the massive puppets I knew that I wanted to be one of the people that created them in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://RaeganCreates.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raegan_leigh_/profilecard/?igsh=Zmk4dmM4eXlveWh1
