CMU Instructor Jennifer Kranjec has worked professionally in Toronto for over 20 years, lending her expertise to 113 productions for the Canadian Opera Company. From a young age, she was interested in the potential of makeup artistry; at five-years-old, she asked her parents for a child’s makeup kit, and ever since receiving that assortment of red and pink lipsticks, eye shadow and perfume, Jennifer has been hooked on transforming faces.
Thoroughly inspired by her high school art teacher, Jose Salas (who had worked under prominent artists Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali), Jennifer spent her free time after school working in a salon doing manicures, pedicures and bridal makeup. She followed her passion for the craft after graduating, and spent two years in the retail industry selling cosmetics; she also started volunteering her time working as a makeup artist on Rogers Community Access Television. Through the connections she made via volunteering, Jennifer was able to branch into the world of theatre, and she began training exclusively with the Canadian Opera Company in their makeup and wig-building department 22 years ago. She has also worked on television and film sets, but says that “[theatre] is where I believe that I have the most comfortable fit as a makeup artist.”
Jennifer joined the faculty at CMU in 2013, and has been teaching here ever since. “It’s been nice to open the door for others as it had been opened by so many for me as I worked to build my career. I hope to help inspire others while I teach, and in turn, I am re-inspired by the student body’s enthusiasm.” she says.
You can catch Jennifer’s work in the Canadian Opera Company’s latest show, Elektra, running at the Four Seasons Center for the Performing Arts until February 22nd.
