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.