Theatre & Performance Events

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Bridging the Gap: A Look into African American Hair & Makeup for Theatre

April 12, 2025
11am - 3:30pm
Location
Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) Memorial Hall, Lab Theatre (133)
601 Jamestown Rd
Williamsburg, VA 23185Map this location
Access & Features
  • Registration/RSVP
Makeup Brushes

Bridging the Gap seeks to educate designers and creatives working in the industry on the struggles Black Indigenous Performers of Color (BIPOC) face. A strong foundation in the basics will aid you greatly in bridging the hair, makeup and research gap.

The first half of the workshop (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM) includes a presentation on the following topics:

Hair Topics:

  • Research ( Reliable Sources)
  • Hair Terms ( What is offensive?)
  • Hair Grades
  • Budgeting
  • Wash Cycles & Night Prep
  • Questions to ask BIPOC Performers about hair
  • Tools & Products ( What’s helpful to have in stock)
  • Natural and Relaxed haircare
  • Adding Texture to wigs

Makeup Topics:

  • Research
  • Vintage Makeup Ads and how to use them
  • Skincare
  • Terms to describe skin tones
  • How to find undertones in deeper complexions
  • Blushes and deeper complexions
  • Color correction for deeper complexions

The presentation is followed by a Q&A session.

After a break for lunch, the workshop continues with a hands-on component (1:30 PM - 3:30 PM), which includes:

  • Wig Prep for Textured Hair
  • Cape Test: Finding Undertones/ Color Categories for deeper complexions
  • Starting the Hair Conversation: Questions to ask BIPOC Performers
  • How to add texture to wigs

Jerrilyn Duckworth

This workshop is led by Jerrilyn Duckworth, a multi-hyphenate creative (costume, hair, and makeup design) in the theatrical space. Bridging the Gap was founded in 2019. In the Fall of 2020, Jerrilyn was appointed Vice-Chair of Hair and Makeup for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology ( USITT). She held the post until 2023.

She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Costume Design and Production from The University of Alabama. She also has a Bachelor of Arts degree in general theatre from The University of Southern Mississippi. Jerrilyn’s designs have been on the stage at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, People's Light, Coastal Carolina University, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Ensemble Theatre in Cincinnati, Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival, Indiana University, Illinois State University, and Millbrook Playhouse.

Jerrilyn continues her Bridging the Gap work. She travels to various universities to provide seminars about hair & makeup issues that plague BIPOC students and performers in the theatre industry. Bridging the Gap dives into the history of hair & makeup, wig prep on natural hair textures, correct language, products, and practical applications that would set any performer or creative artist up for success. The goal is to create an inclusive environment for all performers. Through her work, Jerrilyn has given over 300 workshops with attendance exceeding 3,500 people.

For more information, visit bridgingthegapintheatre.com

See photos from some of Jerrilyn's recent workshops on Facebook: facebook.com/BridgingtheGapinTheatre

PLEASE REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOP IN ADVANCE: https://forms.office.com/r/Yw7xtX7Zr7

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Shahrzad Mazaheri













Sponsored by: Department of Theatre & Performance

Contact

Shahrzad Mazaheri (smazaheri@wm.edu)