AITA for re-dyeing my hair blue despite the play we’re doing taking place during the late 17 century?
A 17-year-old theater participant dyed their hair blue before a play set in the 17th century. Although they offered to wear a wig, the director became annoyed and insisted that a wig would look out of place, believing the hair dye would fade by the show’s time.
The teen feels conflicted about changing their appearance for just one performance, given that the group is non-school-related and the wig seems like a reasonable solution. read the original story below…
‘ AITA for re-dyeing my hair blue despite the play we’re doing taking place during the late 17 century?’
So I (17) started theatre during the beginning of last autumn. Now to specify this theatre is not a part of school and does not affect any kind of grades (just wanted to make it clear I’m not screwing over the anyone in the group).
During Autumn I dyed my hair blue and got absolutely no response from her so I assumed that it wasn’t a big deal, so time goes on and my hair loses a lot of its colour so I decide its time to re-dye it. I get to the theatre group that tuesday and another person makes a joke about it.
This got her attention and she gets an annoyed tone and says something about how i cant how I shouldn’t have dyed hair during the show as it was “unrealistic” and i suggest that I wear a wig because i have one at home and she says in a sweet jet still slightly annoyed tone that i don’t have to do that and i said it was fine.
She dropped the subject at that point and when i got home to look for the wig. A few weeks later and i have found it and I told her the next time a saw her. She jet again gets annoyed and says that I should’t use a wig because it will be noticeable and it will just look like I’m in costume and my hair dye will be washed out when the play arrives anyways.
But its not going to be washed out its still going to be blue and i already have the wig. She almost gets angry at me and just tells us to get to rehearsing in a very cold way. I don’t anyone is going to absolutely flip out because of blue hair or a wig but it might be easier just to do what she wants.
AITHA for not wanting to change my hair/appearance because of one 90 minute show?
Here’s what people had to say to OP:
laurasdiary − #”just wanted to make it clear I’m not screwing over anyone in the group” But you actually are a bit, because you knew the play was approaching and you will look out of place during it because of your choice to dye your hair. Other people are part of the play and surely care about how the performance appears.
Kitastrophe8503 − Yta. You’re not screwing with your grades you’re just… Screwing with a play done by people who either aspire to be professional actors or take time out of their lives to put on performances for the love and sake of it. You didn’t have to redye your hair blue.
Actors often alter their appeances for roles, and youre saying you will actively alter it against the role. You’ve communicated to this community of people how little you prioritize the craft and their success. I’m assuming you have no intention of continuing to work with these people after this production?
So you didn’t really consider the play in your appearance? They didn’t ask you to dye it a natural color, which would’ve won you an e sh. The person you’re talking about is hoping for a better outcome than using the wig you has stuffed somewhere it took you what?
Weeks to find? Doesn’t sound like a professional grade wig that has been cared for like one should be for the stage. Its unfortunate she’ll be disappointed.
Aviendha13 − I don’t understand the comment that wearing a wig will make you look like you are in a costume. Um…. Yeah. That’s what you wear when you do theater. Costumes. Wigs and clothing you don’t typically wear are all part of theater.. Make this make sense.
SubarcticFarmer − YTA. You make a point about how this is not a school related group so since it doesn’t affect grades “it’s not screwing over anyone in the group.” This is what makes you more of an AH.
That kind of group means it’s made up of people taking it more seriously than a school assignment, but you make a point about it not mattering becuase they aren’t getting “graded.” Why are you even in a theater group if you don’t care about it?
WickedAngelLove − INFO who is “her”? Is the her the person who initially noticed or is this someone running the program? And do you realize that many actors/actresses have to change their hair, nails, looks, for shows? Some have to shave their hair off for one show.
subsailor1968 − YTA Former theatre director here. You don’t do major changes to hairstyles after casting, unless you discuss with the director/casting director. Dye would be OK if you’re prepared to undo it prior to dress rehearsal/photo calls.
WelfordNelferd − INFO: Who is “she” and does she have any authority to weigh in on this?
HyenaStraight8737 − YTA Just because something doesn’t matter to you, doesn’t mean it doesn’t to everyone. This is a group experience also, not just yours, you should join with everyone else for a group experience. You want to be mature and be in plays for the sake of the craft? Then actually be mature.
Do as your director is asking or don’t be shocked if they tell you to leave after this or make sure you do not have any really important roles to do on stage.
Those who actually want to do this for the sake of the craft and art should be left to do it in peace.
If you want to be more lucky go free, maybe step into production where you could look like the purple people eater and it wouldn’t have an impact on everyone else’s experience in the play.
[Reddit User] − Yes YTA. I did this exact same thing. I dyed my hair stoplight red right before a play set in the 1930s. My theater director was f**king pissed. So I dyed my hair black. I didn’t like it but I didn’t want to ruin the play. You’ll look terrible and stick out for the wrong reason.
And I guarantee if you’re not a good actor, people in the audience are gonna remember how the girl with the blue hair sucked.
Tonka141 − Yta. – theater person here. Once you start a production and are IN the production your hair isn’t under your control. There’s a reason why there’s an entire team for “hair and makeup” “Her” is I presume the director, and yes I can see her annoyance. Wigs are awful… they never look right.
Should they compromise for the play, or is it fair to stick to their personal choice? Share your thoughts below!
