Ghoulish fun—and learning—at Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical School

There will be a hand pierced by a pencil and several head lacerations, but no one will be hurt Monday or Tuesday at the Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center – Albany Campus.

Rather, juniors in the Cosmetology program will be learning the ghoulish art of theatrical makeup just in time to create the most gruesome or awesome Halloween designs.

Ashley Rosencrans, a class of 2016 graduate will return to BOCES to share her expertise in theatrical makeup with current students.

“I never turn down an opportunity to do Halloween makeup and would always take the opportunity to come back and teach kids who are sitting where I was just a few years ago,” she said.

Rosencrans, a Niskayuna alum, attended the world-famous MUD in New York City to hone her artistic skills before working in several area salons, most recently styling hair at A Hair Tree in Latham. She also has done theatrical makeup and shared her ghoulish skills with the actors at Fright Fest at Six Flags in Lake George.

The lessons will begin at 8:30 and 11:30 each day. The training is one of many provided to students to expand their knowledge beyond hair styling.

“The cosmetology department explores many career options throughout the year, theatrical makeup artists being one of them,” said teacher Jean Hoffer.

“It’s fun, but it also has practical implications for the students, who can use these skills in future career endeavors like Ashley has,” added Hoffer.