Taylor Wallsmith was introduced to theater at the age of 6. She first started out acting and then ventured into theatrical makeup. Later, she realized what it means to her and how big a role makeup plays in her life and the lives of other people.

“I’ve always been around makeup, and I wanted a hobby that was more unique than sports,” Wallsmith said. “When I saw pictures I thought it was really cool, and I wanted to do it myself.”

  Wallsmith does theatrical makeup rather than cosmetics because it gives her the opportunity to be different. Makeup is an art to her, and it allows her to be limitless in what she creates.

  “I like how when you’re doing theatrical makeup you’re either creating something to look real or you’re creating something different that’s not yourself,” Wallsmith said.

Makeup is something that everyone is involved with in theater. Senior Sydney Weber, a castmate who participates in theatrical makeup, understands how important makeup is in theater and what it does for the actors.

“With makeup, you can be as creative as you want,” Weber said. “Taylor definitely does it better than me. She has so many opportunities already, just by being in theater.”

Although it can be fun for her, applying makeup can also be difficult at times, according to Wallsmith. Being an artist, she wants to be able to appeal to everyone including herself, and at times it gets very hard.

“I’m a perfectionist,” Wallsmith said. “I want to be efficient and be able to please myself, as well as the people I’m doing it to.”

Theater Director Kim Sulzner has been on of Wallsmiths mentors throughout her journey  in theatrical makeup. She has been Wallsmith’s theater teacher since sixth grade, but she takes no credit for Wallsmith’s theatrical talents.

“She taught herself a lot of the stuff,” Sulzner said. “If she can’t do something, she’ll teach herself how to do it. She’s just very creative.”

Being a makeup artist has allowed her to discover herself in multiple ways. To Wallsmith, makeup represents individuality, creativity and gives her the ability to uncover different artistic aspects about herself.

“The way you do your makeup shows your personality and that’s what I like about it,” Wallsmith said. “I get to show my personality through theater and makeup.”