Dennis Milam Bensie shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Dennis Milam, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I am starting to work on Winter Opera’s 25-26 season. Today I was in the office and saw the new brochure. On the cover was a production photo from last season’s opera THE MAGIC FLUTE. The singer playing The Queen of the Night is in the picture wearing an 18th century cage wig I built for her. It made my day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I have been a theatrical wigmaker for over 30 years. I built my career and portfolio working in the Seattle theatre scene, but moved to St Louis in 2021 to head the BFA Wig and Makeup Design program at Webster University. My specialty is making wigs from scratch: creating a custom fitting cap out of lace and tying all the hair on one strand at a time. While teaching at Webster, I freelance wigs around the country doing Shakespeare, operas, musical theatre and plays.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I was a very awkward and unhappy child. By high school I was beginning to find a voice and strength through the arts. My high school speech coach, Mrs. Henderson, was the first person who saw me as an artist. She mentored me when no on else saw my potential. I would not be who I am if she hadn’t taken me under her wing.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
As a child, I was molested. I was also bullied in school for being effeminate. I was labeled as gay before I even had a concept of sex. I also had a strong desire to play with dolls. I couldn’t control the people around me, but with doll playing, I could create my own circle of people who loved me and got to do all the things that I felt were out of my reach. I eventually landed in the world of theatre…which is kinda like playing with life side dolls. Theatre is a profession filled with damaged artist like myself. And we all take care of one another. As a boy, dolls were a forbidden toy. I had to steal dolls and hide that playtime. As an adult, I seem to always keep a doll on hand to self soothe me and bring me joy by making the doll wonderful clothes and wigs. I have Instagram pages with lots of photos I take of my dolls.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
For the most part, yes. I gave up trying to be whatever others consider masculine years ago. It was too much work to hide who I really am. Now I am open about most everything in my life. It was freeing to not worry about fulfilling stereotypes and gender norms. Yet, I am still sensitive and emotional and proud of it.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am doing what I am born to do. When I discovered wigs and theatre, everything made sense to me. My gut always helps me make decisions and they are mostly correct. I feel at home when I am wigging a show for theatre. Again, it goes back to the strong desire to play with dolls when I was a little boy.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Photo of me with “wig” tee shirt is by: @sarita.narayanswamy and @saritan.media
Photos from Repertory Theatre of STL by Jon Gitchoff
