44 | OCTOBER 24 • 2024 J
N
A
ndrea Krass McDonald
studied performing arts
at Wayne State University,
built a career around an interest
in cosmetics and mourned friends
succumbing to mental illness.
All three experiences have
prepared her for participation in
elements of Next to Normal, the
serious musical being produced Oct.
25-Nov. 10 by the Village Players of
Birmingham.
The show tells the story of a
woman suffering severe distress
after the death of her 19-month-old
son, and McDonald’s responsibilities
involve handling the makeup worn
by the characters and serving as
liaison between the cast and the
theater board.
“This show is based on
happenings in the late ’80s and early
’90s, but it could be the present
because it covers such a universal
topic,
” McDonald said. “For the
makeup, I do a lot of highlighting
and contouring to assure everything
looks appropriate for the audience
to see.
”
In her liaison assignments, she
reports on how rehearsals are going
and communicates any matters that
need to be resolved.
McDonald’s interest in cosmetics
began when she was 5 years old and
visited her grandmother’s home,
where she found colorful examples
of lipstick shades. It developed as she
watched her mother apply makeup
every day, even when she knew she
was staying home.
While appearing in the theater
program at Southfield-Lathrup High
School, McDonald learned skills for
applying cosmetics, and at Wayne
State, she learned about makeup
techniques.
“When I graduated from Wayne
in 1996, I didn’t know if I wanted to
go to Los Angeles or New York to
pursue acting,
” she said. “
Along the
way, I fell into makeup, and I would
look in magazines to emulate the
looks that they had pictured.
“I got involved with MAC
cosmetics in 2000, and I just loved
it because of the transformation
Makeup artist acts as board liaison for
Makeup artist acts as board liaison for
this rock musical about mental health.
this rock musical about mental health.
Next to Normal
SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
ARTS&LIFE
THEATER
PAUL MANOIAN PHOTOGRAPHY
A family is torn
apart by mental
illness in Next
to Normal at
Birmingham
Village Players,
Oct 25-Nov 10.