Nicola Jane Thorp
Selby,North Yorkshire
Summary
An enthusiastic, hard-working, patient, and diplomatic makeup artist, wig stylist, and wig maker with solid communication and interpersonal skills developed through many years working in paid and self-employed roles, including private business ownership and management and experienced in training staff as a Manager and teaching Beauty Therapy in both further and higher education, which has been challenging and extremely rewarding. An awareness of Equality and Diversity promoted the ability to encourage staff to work hard to achieve goals. I am now looking to continue to develop a flourishing career as a makeup artist and wig stylist within theatre, film, and television by joining an established, thriving company. I am an organised and dependable candidate, successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude—willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Committed manager with exceptional leadership, organisational skills and communication.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Deputy Head of WHAM swing
Cameron Mackintosh and Disney
Tour
2025.04 - Current
- Worked cohesively with 5 other members of the team
- Covering 2 busy show plots
- Assisted with the maintenance of the wigs
- Covering sick days and Holidays
Makeup Designer and Wigs supervisor, Scissorhands
Wild Park Entertainment
Southwark, London
2025.01 - Current
- Liaised with the Costume Designer and Producers to create a Wigs brief to complete their vision for all the characters. Sourced and created the wigs following the agreed brief.
- Executed high quality designs using allocated resources and budget, which was achieved and also left enough budget to add additional wigs and cover wigs.
- Communicated with the makeup designer from the film of Scissorhands to ensure continuity of the principal character makeup transferred from film to stage.
- Educated the cast in specific makeup and wig application, due to no trained WHAM crew member available daily.
- Provided ongoing guidance, support and maintenance for the Wigs and Makeup for the run of the show.
- Created a Wigs and Makeup Bible.
Deputy Head of Wigs
PGSM Super Live UK Ltd
London
2025.02 - 2025.03
- Worked closely with the Japanese wig team to ensure continuity of the show during Tech week.
- Supported the Head of wigs with managing a team of 4.
- Washed, dressed and maintained the wigs .
- The show was over 2 venues so packed and unpacked all the wigs and equipment ready to be transported to other venue.
- Followed a busy plot throughout the show , including multiple quick changes.
- Worked via a translator as many of the cast did not speak English.
Head of Wigs Hair and Makeup. Hairspray
Mark Goucher Productions
Touring UK and Ireland
2024.07 - 2025.01
- Large scale musical with over 60 wigs
- Managed a team of Three.
- Worked with the designer to create the looks for the show.
- Wrote wig plots for the team, training them in what was required for each hairstyle.
- Maintained and dressed the wigs daily to ensure they were all ready for all the shows , dress rehearsals and cover runs and external appearances( Blue Peter)
- Ordered stock and completed petty cash to replenish stock as needed.
- Attended regular Head of department meetings.
- Actively involved with the weekly get in and outs making sure that all wigs and stock are packed safely for travel to the next venue.
- Acted effectively with any issues that arose throughout the run of the show.
Mobile & Salon Beauty Therapist and Hairdresser
Self Employed
, North Yorkshire
1998.01 - Current
- Mobile and Salon based.
- Duties: Providing a wide range of full-body treatments to clients in salon environments and their homes, including (but not limited to) Massage, Manicure and nail enhancement, and bridal hair and make-up service.
Head of Wigs Hair and Makeup, Unfortunate
Wild Park Entertainment
Touring, United Kingdom
2024.02 - 2024.07
- Liaise with the costume and wig designer
- Ensure that all wigs, cast makeup and equipment are packed and unpacked and arrive at each venue in good condition.
- Styling human and synthetic wigs daily to maintain their appearance, washing on a regular basis.
- General maintenance and fixing wigs that get damaged ,styling natural hair and apply wigs including quick wig changes throughout the performances.
- Keeping stock levels consistent for all makeup and skincare products, working to a budget, completing petty cash forms.
- Assisting cast with makeup application and advice.
- Provided Hairdressing and Barbering services.
- Attending photo shoots for publicity when required.
Head of wigs- Too Wong Foo the Musical
Hope Mill Theatre
Manchester
2023.10 - 2023.12
- Set up the wig room and prepared all the wigs during Tech week
- Responsible for maintaining, setting, and dressing 42 wigs including Human, synthetic and textured hair wigs.
- Managed a team of 2, organising cover and replacement for the wig deputy.
- Applying the wigs before each show
- Quick wig changes throughout the show
- Removal of wigs and preparing them for maintenance the next day
- Responsible for ordering stock needed throughout the run of the show
- Assisted in costume changes to ensure the smooth running of the show
- Provided Hair cutting and Barbering to cast as required.
- Liaised with the wig designer
- Broke down the wig room, and packaged the wigs to be returned to the wig designer.
Deputy Head of wigs
Hairspray
2023.06 - 2023.08
- Cutting, styling and maintaining wigs,
- Follow show track with quick wig changes, throughout the show
- Ensured the wigs were cleaned and prepped for the show.
Barber and swing wig stylist
Neville Holt Opera
2023.06 - 2023.06
- And wig stylist swing
- Duties: Cutting the male cast's hair in keeping with the styles set out by the hair and make-up designer
- Setting and dressing wigs
Unit Driver
The Rural Chauffeur
2023.04 - 2023.04
- Interacted with customers pleasantly and professionally, delivering first-class care and service.
- Notified management of vehicle safety concerns and issues, enabling prompt maintenance and repair.
- Delivered outstanding customer care to clients, driving safely and responsibly to maintain customer comfort and security.
Deputy head of wigs
Peaky Blinders ,The Rise
2023.01 - 2023.01
- Swing deputy head of WHAM
Deputy Head of wigs
Peaky Blinders, The Rise
2022.10 - 2022.11
- Maintaining the wigs, following the show track with quick changes, including applying simple special effects
Barber
Neville Holt Opera
2022.07 - 2022.07
- Wig stylist swing
- Duties: Cutting the male cast's hair in keeping with the styles set out by the hair and make-up designer
- Setting and dressing wigs
Unit Driver
The rural Chauffeur, Firebrand
2022.04 - 2022.06
- Delivered outstanding customer care to clients, driving safely and responsibly to maintain customer comfort and security.
- Interacted with customers pleasantly and professionally, delivering first-class care and service.
Trainee Make-up Artist
Firebrand
2022.05 - 2022.05
- 05/2022
- Firebrand- Swing make-up Trainee
- Duties: Preparing the make-up tent for call time, preparing the continuity sheets with the relevant wigs and hairpieces and distributing them to the make-up artists
Unit driver
The Rural Chauffeur
2021.08 - 2022.01
- Delivered outstanding customer care to clients, driving safely and responsibly to maintain customer comfort and security.
- Interacted with customers pleasantly and professionally, delivering first-class care and service.
Posh Nailz
2016.11 - 2020.03
- Nail educator; working from the Selby and York training centres
- Duties: Teaching different nail enhancement techniques
Make-up Artist
Blake Allen Productions
Wakefield
2002.07 - 2020.01
- One-day shoot
- Film to be released
- Duties: Volunteer Make-up Artist
- I was responsible for applying and maintaining the actors' make-up and hairstyling on set to ensure continuity.
Education
PGCE - Education and training
Huddersfield University
2022.09 - 2023.09
QCF Cert in Education & training. QCF Cert in Assessing Vocational Achievement - Education, Training and assessing
Posh Nailz
Selby, North Yorkshire 2016.03 - 2016.05
7 Day intensive wig making course
WHAM
London09.2024
Bachelor of Arts - Media Make-up, Special effects and Hair design
York College
2019.09 - 2022.06
ITEC and City & Guilds - Level 3 Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy
Barnfield College
Luton 1987 - 1990
Skills
- Highly motivated
- Effective communicator
- Experienced in quick wig changes
- Barbering
- Cutting and styling
Timeline
Deputy Head of WHAM swing
Cameron Mackintosh and Disney
2025.04 - Current
Deputy Head of Wigs
PGSM Super Live UK Ltd
2025.02 - 2025.03
Makeup Designer and Wigs supervisor, Scissorhands
Wild Park Entertainment
2025.01 - Current
Head of Wigs Hair and Makeup. Hairspray
Mark Goucher Productions
2024.07 - 2025.01
Head of Wigs Hair and Makeup, Unfortunate
Wild Park Entertainment
2024.02 - 2024.07
Head of wigs- Too Wong Foo the Musical
Hope Mill Theatre
2023.10 - 2023.12
Deputy Head of wigs
Hairspray
2023.06 - 2023.08
Barber and swing wig stylist
Neville Holt Opera
2023.06 - 2023.06
Unit Driver
The Rural Chauffeur
2023.04 - 2023.04
Deputy head of wigs
Peaky Blinders ,The Rise
2023.01 - 2023.01
Deputy Head of wigs
Peaky Blinders, The Rise
2022.10 - 2022.11
PGCE - Education and training
Huddersfield University
2022.09 - 2023.09
Barber
Neville Holt Opera
2022.07 - 2022.07
Trainee Make-up Artist
Firebrand
2022.05 - 2022.05
Unit Driver
The rural Chauffeur, Firebrand
2022.04 - 2022.06
Unit driver
The Rural Chauffeur
2021.08 - 2022.01
Bachelor of Arts - Media Make-up, Special effects and Hair design
York College
2019.09 - 2022.06
Posh Nailz
2016.11 - 2020.03
QCF Cert in Education & training. QCF Cert in Assessing Vocational Achievement - Education, Training and assessing
Posh Nailz
2016.03 - 2016.05
Make-up Artist
Blake Allen Productions
2002.07 - 2020.01
Mobile & Salon Beauty Therapist and Hairdresser
Self Employed
1998.01 - Current
7 Day intensive wig making course
WHAM
ITEC and City & Guilds - Level 3 Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy
Barnfield College
1987 - 1990