All in all, we have a very busy October ahead of us! Between mid-point evaluations, Open House, and all the current shows the students are working on, there’s no time to waste. But, of course, we know our students and staff will get it all done and still have time to make a killer Halloween costume!
Fall Open House: October 15th from 2-4 pm
Remember to invite a friend to our Fall Open House!
Not only is this event free but it’s also open to the public, just please RSVP.
Everyone will get a chance to tour our facilities, meet our students and instructors, watch some really cool demonstrations, AND students are invited to blow off some steam and carve pumpkins.
Yes, all Jack-O-Lanterns will be entered into a contest voted on by our instructors!
So check back on our social media to see all the creations and winners!
Notes from Guest Speaker: Morgan Gilmore – Wig & Makeup in NYC
I credit how fast my path went to my network. From getting jobs to getting advice, a network can really ground you as an artist and help you excel.
Morgan Gilmore took our complete track with Advanced Makeup, Art of Wig and Hair Design, and Special Effects and completed the programs in December of 2018. (The complete track is now our Performance Artist Program) She immediately knew she “needed to get out and use all the amazing things [she] learned.”
So, by January 2019, she was in New York for an apprenticeship with Paul Huntley. From there she busied herself making and styling wigs for an array of shows on and off Broadway.
Here are a few takeaways from Morgan’s virtual visit to AMUA in September.
To start, there’s a ton of wig work in New York. Morgan reassured our current students that even though getting your foot in the door is difficult, once you start getting work in New York it can be hard to manage how much you’re getting. You have to be bold enough to master the art of bugging people until you hear back from them to get that first job. Then once you have that job, work hard and keep learning! Part of the work Morgan is now busy with includes creating wigs for Saturday Night Live! She works with a team of about ten artists from once the skits are decided on Wednesday night, till after the show ends on Saturday. “It’s a lot of fun, but quite intense,” Morgan told our students.
As a New York based artist, it was hard to have to spend time back home in Atlanta, GA during the pandemic, but Morgan made the best of it and took courses to earn her Barbering License. Now that she’s a licensed barber, Morgan is working towards getting into the film union in New York. Working in film is very different than working on Broadway, especially because the film industry in New York is so heavily unionized. Be that as it may, having a network can make growing your career in either field much easier. “I credit how fast my path went because of [my network],” Morgan explained. From getting jobs to getting advice, a network can really ground you as an artist and help you excel.
A big thank you to Morgan for chatting with our students and congratulations on all the work you’ve achieved so far!
Students at Work!
- A short film “The Keeper“ will premiere in SINPHONY: A CLUBHOUSE HORROR ANTHOLOGY at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival on October 15, then on VOD on October 21! Our instructors Michael Meyer and Ben Rittenhouse lead a huge team of students in creating the makeup, wigs, and costumes for this short film! Altogether this was an enormous production for our faculty and students, and we can’t wait to see it!
- Costume design by Logan Hardy
- Creature design by Lauren Asmussen, Layne Baker, Marissa DelGreco, Rebecca Hagedoorne, and Constance Hill
- Head of Prosthetics was Ben Rittenhouse with prosthetics build by Ansley Hughes
- Makeup Artists included Ansley Hughes, Marissa DelGreco, Rebecca Hagedoorrne, Layne Baker, Lauren Assmusen, and Jane Ward. Wigmaker was Kaelie Chavez
- Head of Production and “Twitchy” design and construction was Michael Meyer
- Emily Sukolowsky joined a team and competed in the 48 Hour Film Project. The team’s film “Emily’s Ashes” won Best Buddy Film!
- Into the Woods – Belmont – Morgan Sutliff (lead), Ryanne Caldwell, Capri Biangardi, Kathlene Beam | Mark your calendars for November 18-20 and get your tickets here!
- Broadway Vacation (Seattle) – Morgan Sutliff, Lilly Murray, Sydney Elrod, Capri Biangardi, and Connie to assist Liz Prince
- My Fair Lady – Carson Center in Paducah, KY – Sydney Elrod will assist Liz Prince. Get your tickets for October 13th!
- Between the Black Keys – Belmont Film – Emily Sukolowsky (lead), Ryanne Caldwell
- MK Ultra Violence – Lily Murray
- Beauty and the Beast – Father Ryan High School – Kathlene Beam (lead), Capri Biangardi (lead) on November 10-13th.
Upcoming
All Month Long: Student Costume Contest! Pot a picture in your Halloween costume for this year and tag us on Instagram (@amuanashville) for a chance to win a set bag!
October 13th: My Fair Lady at Carson Center in Paducah, KY
October 15th: Fall Open House at the AMUA!
October 15th: Our first ever student movie night! Students can come to the studio for snacks and a creature feature in honor of Halloween!
October 21st: The Keeper comes out on VOD! Keep an eye out for more info on where to watch our student’s work.
November 10-13th: Beauty and the Beast at Father Ryan High School
November 18-20th: Into the Woods at Belmont
Happy October Birthdays!
Morgan Sutliff – October 21
