Tuacahn’s productions are known for their spectacular technical craftsmanship, but one craft can almost go unnoticed especially when it’s done right: wigs and artificial hair pieces. Wigs, which are essential to creating believable characters and bringing the story to life, allow the actors to quickly transform into different characters, ages, or time periods, all while maintaining a cohesive look amongst the show’s cast. 

Wig making has evolved into a highly specialized art form, with skilled artisans creating bespoke wigs and hairpieces specifically for our shows. Wig Designer Matthew Oliver and his team have their work cut out for them as they design and create nearly 100 unique wigs and hair pieces for each of the four shows this summer. But this isn’t Matthew’s first rodeo. He won a BroadwayWorld Regional award for “Best Hair Design in a Professional Theatre Production” in 2019 for his work on Ragtime at the Mac-Haydn Theatre in New York. Matthew enjoys working at Tuacahn where he says, “the creative team allows him the space to learn what it takes to really make a design work as well as the opportunity to grow his skills in a professional environment.”

During Tuacahn Amphitheatre’s 2023 Broadway in the Canyon season, the importance of wig making will be on full display. 

Roald Dahl’s Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, based on the beloved children’s book, is a fresh take set in a whimsical candy factory and features a cast of colorful characters. The over-the-top wigs in this production will be crucial in creating the fantastical world of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, with bright colors, exaggerated shapes, and imaginative designs.

Tarzan tells the story of a young boy raised by apes in the African jungle. The production features elaborate costumes and wigs to create the exotic setting of the story. The wigs for this production will be lightweight and durable to withstand the physical demands of actors swinging from vines and performing acrobatic stunts. They’re also being designed to portray the humanity of the apes and echo the family motif, while still paying homage to past versions of Tarzan performed at Tuacahn as well as the original story.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame, based on the classic novel by Victor Hugo, is a dark and dramatic story set in medieval Paris. The wigs for this production will convey the time period and the characters’ social status, with intricate braids, curls, and updos for the wealthy nobles and simpler styles for the common people. 

Finally, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical tells the story of the iconic singer-songwriter and her rise to fame in the 1960s and 70s. The wigs in this production will be essential in defining the look of the era, with bouffants, beehives, and long, flowing locks for the female characters.

We can’t wait to see what our talented wig makers and designers have in store for us this season!