By Holly Dayton ’13, Contributor
Donna Fischer, SAGE Food Service Director, has a double life. When she is not overseeing the kitchen, she helps the CCDS drama department with hair and makeup for their plays and musicals. When Mr. Mark Femia, Upper School Director of Drama, first came to our school in 2008, Mrs. Sandy Cantor, mother of Carly ’08 and Jules ’11, suggested Mrs. Fischer for help with make-up and hair, and the match has been thoroughly successful. Fischer learned to do hair and makeup when she was in high school. She enjoyed it so much, she was happy to help other high school students learn the same skill. She gives them her time for free because she “enjoy[s] it, and it’s a creative outlet.” Fischer’s skill in applying makeup and teaching the students to do it themselves “is wonderful and instructive” said Mr. Femia. He turns to Fischer when he needs an idea, “when I don’t have an answer to hair and makeup she does.”
Students appreciate Fischer’s help as well. Annie Nesbitt ’13 said Fischer “is great at showing us what to do for era-specific shows and making us feel confident in our makeup.” Fischer “is always willing to help anyone who needs her help, whether they be the star of the show or an ensemble member. She wants us all to look our best,” said Rebecca Miller ’12.
Her first show at CCDS was Beauty and the Beast, and she is still helping out. This winter’s musical is Seussical the Musical, based on the books of Dr. Seuss, and Fischer has already started her research. She envisions the makeup and hair as being “bright, dramatic and overly cartoonish.” Before she even starts on any hair, Fischer said she “does some research” on makeup and hair of the time the play is set in so the effect is as realistic as possible. Period hair design, like from the 20’s or 50’s, takes the most research and the longest amount of time for her to do. She consults books and the internet in her search for antique hair and makeup styles. Fischer sometimes works with her husband, who did drama in high school as well. Mr. Fischer works for a different company than his wife and cannot help as often as she can, but is still present and helpful on show nights.
Fischer is a helpful and versatile asset to the Drama Department, giving guidance on how to arrange hair and makeup the best way possible. Her free assistance and vast knowledge make her the unsung hero of the Drama Department.
Photo by Ilana Habib ’11, Photo Editor