The American Theatre Wing has administered the Tony Awards annually since 1947. Never in that time has The Wing acknowledged Wig & Hair Design or Makeup Design as Tony-Award-worthy categories.
For comparison, the Drama Desk Awards were first bestowed in 1955, and in 2016 the Wig & Hair category was added. The Oscars were first held in 1929, and in 1981 the competitive category for Best Makeup and Hairstyling was added. The Primetime Emmys were first awarded in 1949, and the first Makeup Emmy was awarded in 1965, while the first Hairstyling category was added in 1979. We are not trying to set a precedent here. The precedent has already been set.
Wig & Hair Designers and Makeup Designers work closely with Costume Designers to bring characters to life on stage. Similarly, Choreographers work closely with Directors to bring full productions to life on stage. The Wing recognizes Choreographers, Directors, and Costume Designers as being Tony-Award worthy. And we want The Wing to recognize Wig & Hair Designers and Makeup Designers in that same way.
We are asking The Wing to include a Best Wig and Hair Design category and a Best Makeup Design category to their roster of awards. We believe these awards are long overdue. Our contribution is unquestionable. Imagine Wicked without Glinda's blonde wig or Elphaba’s green makeup. Imagine The Little Mermaid without Ariel's mermaid wig. Imagine The Phantom of the Opera without the prosthetic makeup and mask.
Please support Wig and Hair Designers and Makeup Designers in their efforts to be recognized by The Wing at the Tony Awards by signing this petition. Then please send this along to everyone you know to sign as well. Together, we can show The Wing that we are relevant, we deserve a place at the table, and that our contribution matters.
#ItIsAboutTime
Updates
Reached 2,500 supporters
June 25, 2026
Reached 1,000 supporters
April 27, 2024
April 27, 2024
THE STORIES PEOPLE ARE SHARING IN THE COMMENTS ARE ABSOLUTELY ELECTRIFYING!! IT IS CLEAR THAT THE ARTISTRY BROUGHT BY WIG AND HAIR DESIGNERS IS ESSENTIAL TO EVERY PRODUCTION AND THE AMERICAN THEATRE WING NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THIS TRUTH NOW!! WE ARE KEEPING THE PRESSURE ON TO ENSURE THESE MASTERS OF THE CRAFT FINALLY GET THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE!!
Reached 100 supporters
April 26, 2024
620 Comments
As a member of AEA and a scenic designer for 20 years, I find it appalling and elitist that make up/wig designers are not recognized. Only with recognition will we be able to inspire the next generations to pursue these arts that the industry cannot live without.
It’s about time!!!! Long overdue in fact!!! Make-up and hair should not be considered park of costume!!! Local #798 should be recognized for its artistry in its integral part of the building of the look of the show!!!!
As an actor and makeup artist myself, I feel a character becomes fully realized when we add hair and makeup. It is when I feel totally connected to the world of the show. Hair and Makeup designs and creativity need to be recognized! They are essential to our industry and artistry!
As a costume designer, I’m sick and tired of being looked at for hair/makeup answers because the company didn’t budget for hair/makeup support. There are design, skills, and training involved and it should require a separate designer. Fully supporting this long overdue campaign.
As a crafts artisan I often work closely between costume designers and wig, hair, and, makeup designers for hats, masks, dye work, and accessories. It is beyond time WHAM design is recognized by the American Theatre Wing for their incredible contributions to the character design.
Wig and hair is INTEGRAL to Broadway shows and the people that are creating that magic deserve recognition and praise for their work!
I am an aspiring hair and makeup design student and I think this is long overdue!
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
The American Theatre Wing has administered the Tony Awards annually since 1947. Never in that time has The Wing acknowledged Wig & Hair Design or Makeup Design as Tony-Award-worthy categories.
For comparison, the Drama Desk Awards were first bestowed in 1955, and in 2016 the Wig & Hair category was added. The Oscars were first held in 1929, and in 1981 the competitive category for Best Makeup and Hairstyling was added. The Primetime Emmys were first awarded in 1949, and the first Makeup Emmy was awarded in 1965, while the first Hairstyling category was added in 1979. We are not trying to set a precedent here. The precedent has already been set.
Wig & Hair Designers and Makeup Designers work closely with Costume Designers to bring characters to life on stage. Similarly, Choreographers work closely with Directors to bring full productions to life on stage. The Wing recognizes Choreographers, Directors, and Costume Designers as being Tony-Award worthy. And we want The Wing to recognize Wig & Hair Designers and Makeup Designers in that same way.
We are asking The Wing to include a Best Wig and Hair Design category and a Best Makeup Design category to their roster of awards. We believe these awards are long overdue. Our contribution is unquestionable. Imagine Wicked without Glinda's blonde wig or Elphaba’s green makeup. Imagine The Little Mermaid without Ariel's mermaid wig. Imagine The Phantom of the Opera without the prosthetic makeup and mask.
Please support Wig and Hair Designers and Makeup Designers in their efforts to be recognized by The Wing at the Tony Awards by signing this petition. Then please send this along to everyone you know to sign as well. Together, we can show The Wing that we are relevant, we deserve a place at the table, and that our contribution matters.
#ItIsAboutTime
Updates
Reached 2,500 supporters
June 25, 2026
Reached 1,000 supporters
April 27, 2024
April 27, 2024
THE STORIES PEOPLE ARE SHARING IN THE COMMENTS ARE ABSOLUTELY ELECTRIFYING!! IT IS CLEAR THAT THE ARTISTRY BROUGHT BY WIG AND HAIR DESIGNERS IS ESSENTIAL TO EVERY PRODUCTION AND THE AMERICAN THEATRE WING NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THIS TRUTH NOW!! WE ARE KEEPING THE PRESSURE ON TO ENSURE THESE MASTERS OF THE CRAFT FINALLY GET THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE!!
Reached 100 supporters
April 26, 2024
620 Comments
As someone who has worked doing makeup and wigs on numerous Broadway productions, and designed makeup for Broadway as well, the fact that we are not recognized for our part in creating this beautiful illusion is downright criminal and exclusionary
As a member of AEA and a scenic designer for 20 years, I find it appalling and elitist that make up/wig designers are not recognized. Only with recognition will we be able to inspire the next generations to pursue these arts that the industry cannot live without.
It’s about time!!!! Long overdue in fact!!! Make-up and hair should not be considered park of costume!!! Local #798 should be recognized for its artistry in its integral part of the building of the look of the show!!!!
As an actor and makeup artist myself, I feel a character becomes fully realized when we add hair and makeup. It is when I feel totally connected to the world of the show. Hair and Makeup designs and creativity need to be recognized! They are essential to our industry and artistry!
As a costume designer, I’m sick and tired of being looked at for hair/makeup answers because the company didn’t budget for hair/makeup support. There are design, skills, and training involved and it should require a separate designer. Fully supporting this long overdue campaign.
As a crafts artisan I often work closely between costume designers and wig, hair, and, makeup designers for hats, masks, dye work, and accessories. It is beyond time WHAM design is recognized by the American Theatre Wing for their incredible contributions to the character design.
Wig and hair is INTEGRAL to Broadway shows and the people that are creating that magic deserve recognition and praise for their work!
I am an aspiring hair and makeup design student and I think this is long overdue!
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 5,000 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
As someone who has worked doing makeup and wigs on numerous Broadway productions, and designed makeup for Broadway as well, the fact that we are not recognized for our part in creating this beautiful illusion is downright criminal and exclusionary