The “How” & “Why” of Wigs

All wigs in Cirque du Soleil productions are hand-tied – or ventilated. This is an extensive process, which involves building the wig one hair at a time onto a base using a hook. This process takes about 80 hours on average, depending on length of hair, density, color variations, and hair direction.

Wigs for Cirque du Soleil productions can be made of a variety of materials including synthetic hair, human hair, horsehair, and yak hair. Yak hair is preferable for beards and eyebrows. Synthetic hair is the most commonly used, due to its low cost. KÀ features over a dozen wigs.

The wig making process begins with the fabrication of a wig cap. Layers of plastic wrap are applied to a performer’s head. These layers are then taped over to capture the curvature of the head shape. Different colored markers are used to denote a number of features that will be important during the wig making process. These can include: a performer’s natural and preferred hairline, various measurements, such as front to nape, temple to temple, ear to ear, etc. and the grain of the ventilation of hair, which changes direction across the scalp.

Placing the wig cap on a mannequin block can help with the next steps in the process. A weaving net or lace front is applied over the plastic wig cap, and the process of hand tying the hair begins. These nets can come in a variety of densities, depending on the needs of the production. Film wigs typically use 1 hair per knot, while theater wigs use 2 to 3 hairs per knot.

Similar to the wig making process, the fabrication process of a headpiece relies on having a 3D scan taken of a performer’s head. These are cast in plaster and are created to design headpieces and wigs that match the performer’s measurements. This also ensures that fitting can be completed by designers when the performers themselves might not be available.

3D printing has also been used instead of the traditional method of plaster casting in recent years.