Exploring Life & Business with Meghann Mason of Academy of Makeup and Wig Design

Today we’d like to introduce you to Meghann Mason. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Meghann Mason started out in the entertainment industry as a performer. Earning her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Houston, she began to learn the trade of Theatre and Film. While in school, Meghann made extra money dressing wigs, running shows as a wig attendant, and also managing the costume rentals department for the University. Once Meghann graduated from UH, her next move was to Los Angeles to attend The Westmore Academy of Cosmetic Arts.

After a busy freelance career in Los Angeles, Meghann returned to the University of Houston to continue her education in Graduate studies- this time focusing on costume history and design, all while still freelancing in Makeup and Wigs for stage and TV. In the middle of her Graduate career, she was offered a position as a wig technician for the world-famous Cirque du Soleil. She packed her bags and moved to Sin City! While working at “KÀ” for Cirque du Soleil, Meghann finished her Master of Arts degree at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas. During this time, she and her best friend began a Wig and Makeup School: Academy of Makeup and Wig Design (AMWD) to teach students the art of wig making and styling, makeup artistry, and more. After almost 12 years in Las Vegas with Cirque du Soleil, Meghann returned home to Houston, TX to open the Academy there and be closer to family with her small son. She is also entering her second season as the Wig and Makeup Supervisor for the esteemed Houston Ballet. She continues to work with Cirque du Soleil, now making the wigs for “KA”, as well as freelancing in wigs and makeup.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a winding road with some bumps along the way, but not too many potholes! I have always been determined and pretty clear about the paths I want to take, or at least open to opportunities in my field. With entertainment, that field is very broad and so there are a lot of options. With wigs and wig making it has always been something that has stayed around and so, 20 years later after my first wig gig, I am now in a great position at the Houston Ballet and running my own companies. I think the biggest struggle has been the schedule. Once I became a mom (I am single mom due to infertility issues and the miracle of IVF) I realized I could not work at night and have time with my son, especially once he started school. So I had to make some big life decisions about what I wanted his life to be like and how I could continue being creative in a different way. Also, the balance of work vs. personal life has really leveled out after having him. It makes it easier to say no to projects that before would be an easy yes. I am a slight workaholic so I really have to monitor that aspect of my personality!

We’ve been impressed with Academy of Makeup and Wig Design, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Academy of Makeup and Wig Design started in 2014 with my best friend Kelsey Contois so we could train people to help us on these big crazy projects we were working on outside of Cirque du Soleil; we worked together at “KA”. It allowed us to connect with students, young and professionals that were looking to up their skill level to work in entertainment or to cater to their current clientele. The business also allowed us to take on bigger jobs designing shows, setting up departments overseas for theme parks, helping produce events on the hair and makeup side, and now, allowing me work with Cirque again, but now making the wigs, I once styled and worked with every day.

I returned to Houston in December of 2019 and set up a brick and mortar school. It was a terribly exciting time! I opened officially the same week the entire world shut down. Seriously. It was unbelievable! So, I had about 8 months of zero income for the school and then tried to piece together income over the next 18 months. Covid really did a number on the entertainment industry and that was the crux of my student demographic. I did teach here and there during the pandemic but ultimately decided to sideline the school to an extent and take on more work with Houston Ballet and freelance commissions. Now, I am the supervisor there, I still freelance a lot and work with Cirque du Soleil, all with a four years old. Life is busy and beautiful. I have the most amazing family that helps me so much so I am able to continue with my career and have my own family.

What are your plans for the future?
If Covid taught me anything, it was to remain flexible. Which I thought I was, but I wasn’t really. I am really enjoying my role at Houston Ballet and love the creative process of mounting shows. This last year was my first officially being a vendor with Cirque du Soleil and that has been an immense professional challenge and learning process that was wonderful. I look forward to continuing my creative business endeavors, nurturing the amazing crew I have at the Houston Ballet, teaching, and spending as much time as possible with my son. He’s the best!!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.meghannmason.com
• Instagram: @meghannm_makeupandwigs
• Youtube: Academy MWD
• Other: www.academymwd.com

Image Credits
Photographers: Ashkan Roayaee Claire McAdams Deed DeBruno Lei Rivera Shane O’Neal Makeup on some of the pics- Darcie Teasley (Marie Antoinette photo) Wig by Meghann Mason Natasha Chamberlain (arial hoop photo), Wig by Meghann Mason Wig: Kelsey Contois-Husch (black and white photo) Makeup by Meghann Mason