New appointment of the column dedicated to our alumni
The column that tells the stories and careers of our alumni continues in 2025! The first meeting of this new year is dedicated to the course for Wigmaker with Teresa Sacchetti, whom we currently find in Turin in the Audello Teatro workshop as a hairstylist, after having worked in various Theaters throughout Italy such as the Arena in Verona, the Teatro Regio in Turin and the Teatro alla Scala in Milan.
Teresa, tell us how this interest of yours in the field of theatrical makeup and wig making came about and how did you come to discover and become interested in the Wig Maker Course?
This interest was born during my undergraduate years. While attending the Academy of Fine Arts based in Turin, I was fortunate enough to take an academic course related to theatrical makeup and wig-making, and to intern at the Aduello Teatro workshop. Both were important experiences for me, because from simple passion arose in me the desire to train professionally in this field. The lecturer who taught the academic course informed me of the existence of the Wig Making course run by the Accademia Teatro alla Scala, which I enrolled in after completing my master's degree in Turin.
Was the course what you expected it to be? Tell us a great difficulty and a great satisfaction you experienced during your training period at the Academy?
The course was exactly as I expected: the theory classes focused on the history of how wigs came into being and how they are structured. Instead, during the practice classes, we students worked on wigs and hairpieces, following the directions of professionals who were always ready to help us students with any difficulties. This is a course that requires commitment and perseverance: in my opinion, in addition to the lectures, I found it important to practice at home on samples of hairpieces and wigs in order to optimize the skills acquired on the premises. All this hard work has given me great satisfaction, namely that of seeing various types of hairpieces made and a wig made completely with my own hands, from its structure to the insertion of the hair.
And after the course? Where did you work and where do you still work now?
After the course I worked in several theaters as a makeup artist and hairstylist, especially in Verona at the Arena and in Turin at the Teatro Regio. During the 2023/2024 opera season for a period of time I worked at the Teatro alla Scala as an evening hairdresser for evening performances, and as a wigmaker at the Scala workshop. I currently work in Turin at the Audello Teatro workshop as a hairstylist.
As of today, do you think it is important to associate the skills of the Make-Up Artist (which is usually the better known and more widespread profession than the Hair Stylist and the Hairstylist) with additional knowledge that would make them versatile and prepared also in the field of theatrical and film hairstyles?
Certainly: I consider it necessary to combine the skills of Make-Up Artist and Hairstyling, because both are necessary, they are an indispensable combination. During my various work experiences (purely related to the world of theater) I worked both as a Make-Up Artist and as a Hairstylist: if I was able to overcome every difficulty and meet every need it was because of the two trainings. One must always keep up to date educationally. Combining makeup and hairstyling gives you access to more doors in the way of work.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Definitely seeing one's own wig on stage. Seeing work that I have made and styled always excites me: a wig is not just an accessory, it is part of one of those pieces that helps the artist transform into the character they have to play. In short, it is something indescribable. Each work requires a different wig and consequently a new hairstyle. Bringing a wig to life by shape and style is a moment that brings so much satisfaction.
What characteristic do you think you need to possess to do this job in 2024? Along with this question, we ask you to conclude with a good luck message for all the boys and girls who are thinking of sending their applications to the next edition of the Wigmaker Course.
Patience and perseverance. Hairdressing is a meticulous job that brings a lot of satisfaction. Passion is another important factor: this is a job in which you face many challenges of both accomplishment and timing that you refine over time. For every work experience, one must assimilate every element of it, which will be useful for one's personal and professional growth. To the boys and girls who will send their applications to the Wig Making Course, I wish that their passion will become a job, a job that gives so much excitement and satisfaction, just as it happened to me.
