Beauty is an art at Wax Poetic
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Kerry Hite believes the ability to bring out a client’s natural
beauty is an art, and practices that philosophy at her salon, Wax
Poetic, tucked between trendy clothing boutiques and antique shops
along West Magnolia Boulevard.
The actress/entrepreneur has just completed remodeling the
business, creating more of a day-spa atmosphere. When she opened the
business in January 2000, she offered hair styling, body waxing and
skin-care services and had one massage room.
Several massage rooms have been added, one with a state-of-the-art
steam canopy that drops down over the massage table.
The steam helps you to relax, Hite said, so you have the steam
process first and then the massage, and there is no interruption in
between, having to walk to another room.
For clients on a tight schedule, a seated massage is available to
relieve stress before or after a haircut or clinical facial.
Hite, a former Burbank resident, graduated in 1991 with a
bachelor’s degree in performing arts from American University in
Washington, D.C. She moved to Los Angeles, working odd jobs while
trying to break into acting. She decided as a backup to study skin
care and graduated from Lu Ross Academy of Hair in Ventura in 1993.
She continued working at salons and struggling with her acting
career until 1999, when she was in a head-on traffic accident and
broke her wrist. It made her reevaluate her life and goals as an
actress.
Sure enough, when she decided to take a break from acting, and
open a salon, she immediately got three voice-over jobs on radio.
She’s had continued success with the salon and decided to purchase
the space next door. Remodeling began in November and is now
complete. The salon is situated in a great block, she said, as
Magnolia Flowers & Gifts has opened on the corner and a gourmet
coffee shop, Romancing the Bean, has moved a couple of doors down.
Drawing from her background, Hite tries to create an artistic
environment at the salon. While acting, directors would tell her to
look up words in scripts and discover their true meaning. When she
looked up the word, salon, she found many meanings -- a large room
used for receiving guests, a periodic gathering of individuals
participating in the art of conversation, a hall or gallery for
exhibiting works of art, and an establishment offering a product or
service related to fashion.
Instead of high fashion magazines, which Hite said gives women a
false sense of real beauty, she has a library of art books and
literature.
One wall of the salon is dedicated to artworks of local artists.
The display changes every two months. Presently showing is Chad
Bell’s collection of oil paintings titled “Maladies and Other
Disappointments.”
There is even a chalkboard in the children’s corner to allow them
to explore their creative sides.
“We are a salon in every sense of the word,” she said, adding that
the art gallery gives clients something to talk about, and changes
the look of the salon with every new installation.
She also wants her clientele to learn something while they are at
the salon, so they can share their secrets with relatives and
friends.
“If they are educated, they are going to continue to have
beautiful skin and hair,” she said. “I want to enhance the beauty
they already have naturally.”
Wax Poetic salon is at 3208 W. Magnolia Blvd. For more
information, call 843-9469.
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The Van Bloem Singers are auditioning for volunteers to perform
for organizations, senior residences, churches and other charitable
groups.
Singers must be able to perform between noon and 3 p.m. and are
especially needed for evening and weekend shows. The ability to sight
read is not necessary.
The group’s repertoire includes “The Music of Broadway,” “Music of
the Forties,” and “Music for the Holidays.”
Rehearsals are from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. each Monday at the Salvation
Army Chapel, 300 E. Angeleno Ave. For information, call Elaine
Paonessa at 845-6851.
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The Stepping Stone Players, a community theater company that
stages musicals in Glendale, have filled top positions for “Annie,”
opening Sept. 5.
Directing the musical is Susan Kussman of Glendale, who returns to
the company after directing its inaugural production, “The Wizard Of
Oz,” in 2000.
Kussman has worked in the Los Angeles as an award-winning actress,
producer, director and teacher for more than 30 years. She is the
recipient of a Drama Logue Award and two L.A. Weekly Theatre Critics’
awards.
Her directing credits include “Diary of a Madman” at the Century
City Playhouse and “The Hot L Baltimore” at Company of Friends.
Most recently, she produced “The Works of Samuel Beckett,”
starring television star Cliff DeYoung, and George S. Kaufman’s “The
Butter and Egg Man” at Company of Angels.
Musical direction for “Annie” will be by Dana McElwain of
Glendale. McElwain has performed as a solo pianist and with big
bands. He has also been producer, composer, arranger and
instrumentalist on more than 30 recordings.
He studies film composing with Jack Smalley (“Dynasty,” “Charlie’s
Angels”) and serves as event coordinator for the Film Music Network.
The choreographer for “Annie” is Cassandra Daurden of Burbank. She
was a member of Desert Dance Theater, Adzido African Dance Ensemble
and Dance Arizona Repertory Theater and resident choreographer for
several theater companies. Her first choreographic work in film has
been selected to tour the National Latino Film Festival.
David Potter of Glendale, remains on the Players’ board of
directors and returns once again as scenic designer. His design work
in feature films is extensive. His film credits include “The Fisher
King,” “Castaway” and “Spider-Man.”
Annie runs from Sept. 5 to 21 with nine performances. The last two
Sunday matinees will be interpreted in American Sign Language, led by
veterans Tadd Cohen of Reseda and Cass Harvey of Burbank, and
supported by interns from Cal State Northridge’s deaf studies
program.
For ticket information, call 246-8822 or visit online at
www.steppingstoneplayers.com.
* JOYCE RUDOLPH’s column appears Wednesdays. For events happening
this weekend, read her 48 Hours column Saturdays. Reach her at
637-3241.