Talented Media Make-up Learners get Creative for Local Alice in Wonderland Production
Curious and curiouser learners from North Notts College Media Make-up department – based at Retford Post-16 Centre – have gone down the rabbit hole and provided their skills and creativity to young actors from Retford Oaks Academy, transforming them into weird and wonderful characters from Alice in Wonderland.
The artistic make-up team designed and applied the make-up for the 30 strong cast including well-known characters such as The Queen of Hearts, The Mad Hatter and of course Alice.
North Notts College Level 3 Theatrical and Media Make-up learners Kate Storey and Oliver Helm helped create a number of striking looks for the young cast members.
Kate said: “We worked with the Academy to create the looks for two to three hours per day. The performances started at 7.00pm, and we had to have the cast ready for 6.30pm, so we were working to a deadline.”
Oliver added: “We got involved in doing a little bit of hair, a little bit of body art and general make-up and working with lots of different clients.
“It’s interesting to work with young students who may be inspired to follow this career path and do what we’re doing right now.”
North Notts College Media Make-Up Lecturer Anne Derbyshire oversaw the learners at work and gave a helping hand to get through the 30 or so students that needed to be made-up.
Anne explained: “Projects like this are about giving our learners a starting point of working within industry; building links with employers and local schools is really important to help them gain vital experience. We also want the school, and the pupils, to see what we offer as a College.
“To be successful the learners have to work together as a team. The key skills they’ll need are organisation, communication and teamwork, which are really important in industry.”
Retford Oaks Academy Drama Teacher Kirsty Simpson was the driving force behind the play and approached the College to support with Hair and Make-Up Artists for the production.
Kirsty said: “The students from the College have been very professional and I have been very impressed with their work ethic, interaction and commitment to the project. The relationship between the College and Academy is strengthening year-on-year and provides learners with professional experiences that replicate the professional world.
“It is an absolute pleasure to work alongside such talented and committed individuals.”