Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1541402
LOCAL706.ORG • 11 SHOW NEWS by Patrice K. Madrigal Assistant to the Business Representative | Theater \ I.A.T.S.E. Local 706 From the palm-lined streets of Southern California to the redwoods of the north, Broadway magic is alive and thriving across our state's theaters. Each week, stages burst to life with the energy of live performance—powered by an incredible community of backstage artists. And for those of us in union hair and make-up, it's a nonstop ride of creativity, precision, and heart. California's Broadway theaters are buzzing with both homegrown productions and national tours. Blockbuster shows like & Juliet, A Beautiful Noise: e Neil Diamond Musical, e Wiz, Kinky Boots, and e Book of Mormon are lighting up marquees from south to north. For each city and each audience, the experience feels fresh and unique—but behind the scenes, it's a highly coordinated operation running like clockwork. When a touring show arrives at one of our theaters, it usually loads in and sets up within a tight 24-hour window. at includes scenery, lighting, costumes—and, of course, hair and make-up. For our department, the trucks roll in and once our road boxes roll into the room, we unload and prep wigs, set stations, and do any maintenance needed to get the show performance ready before that first curtain rises, most of the time the same day. Tour work follows a rhythm: install, tech, run, and repeat—eight shows a week. With little margin for error, consistency and efficiency are crucial. But so is artistry. Every wig, make-up touch-up, and backstage quick change contributes to the illusion that sweeps audiences off their feet, night aer night. Meanwhile, many of our theaters build, rehearse, and perform their own productions in-house. ese resident shows bring together local designers, craspeople, and performers to create something original from the ground up. From the first concept meeting to opening night, hair and make- up are integral to the process—designing custom looks, building wigs, and adjusting to the evolving demands of rehearsals and live performance. Whether it's a one-week stop or a multi- week run, one thing never changes: the energy. Our passion drives us to hustle, to show up fully, and to make every single performance special—for the talent we work with and the audiences who come to be moved. e hours can be long, and the pace intense, but once the curtain goes up, everything else fades away. at's when the magic takes over, and we become part of something truly unforgettable. In that moment, we become part of something bigger than ourselves. e laughter, the gasps, the sniffles, the applause all rolls backstage like a wave, reminding us exactly why we do Behind the Curtain of Broadway in California: Where the Magic Begins what we do. Knowing that the work we put in helps an actor fully inhabit a role, helps a character come to life, or even just helps a performer feel their best under the spotlight, makes every hour worth it. What's especially unique about California is the diversity—not just in audiences and cities, but in the types of shows and venues we serve. From sleek modern auditoriums to historic landmark theaters, from splashy jukebox musicals to intimate dramas, the range keeps us on our toes. No two shows are ever the same, and that variety keeps our skills sharp and our creativity flowing. As union hair and make-up artists, we bring not only skill and style, but also professionalism and reliability. Our work requires trust, precision, and speed. Whether it's handing off a perfectly styled wig during a quick change or mentoring a newer team member, we approach each task with focus, pride, and passion. We are the calm in the chaos, the quiet contributors to each standing ovation. e audience may not see us—but they feel our work in every expression onstage, in every transformed character, in every emotional moment that lands just right. So, here's to the bobby pins and blow dryers, the early calls and late-night wig touch- ups, the touring trucks and homegrown productions. From San Diego to Sacramento, we are the steady hands and creative minds behind California's Broadway magic. Eight shows a week, curtain aer curtain— we keep the show going, and we love every minute of it.