Dennis Milam Bensie

DENNIS MILAM BENSIE began his wig career in the Seattle theatre scene over thirty years ago after completing an apprenticeship in the Los Angeles Opera wig and makeup department. His work continued at over twenty-five other regional theatres across the country including Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta and the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. Bensie’s recent film and TV wig credits include HBO’s Three Busy Debras, Hulu’s The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Special and the indie feature film Potato Dreams of America. He recently returned to opera designing wigs for the Atlanta Opera and more recently served as the Executive Wig Designer for Seven Ages Beijing, China’s production of Mozart, l’opera rock. Mr. Bensie is also the author of five books published by Coffeetown Press. Thirty Years a Dresser is his memoir recounting his career working backstage in theatre. The author holds a degree in Costume Design from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and is now the head of the wig and makeup design program at Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University in St. Louis. Dennis returns to Colorado Shakespeare Festival having worked in the costume shop as a stitcher in 1987.

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