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.