From Our Stage to the National Stage: Catching Up with Emily Allen ’20

Albany Academy is proud to celebrate the professional achievement of Emily Allen '20, who has joined the national tour of The Book of Mormon as Head of Hair and Makeup.

In her role, Emily plays a critical role in bringing each production to life. Since hitting the road in late May, Emily's schedule has been a whirlwind of sleeper buses, hotels, and airplanes. Her tour alternates between week-long residencies and grueling single-night shows, sometimes hitting four cities in a single week with 2 a.m. load-outs and 8 a.m. load-ins. "You have to have so much patience with yourself, with others, 'cause... you're physically exhausted," she notes.

As the sole hair and makeup professional on her team, her primary focus is maintaining the integrity of the show's design. A unique challenge of touring in a union is that she doesn't do all the hands-on work herself; instead, she has about 45 minutes before each show to teach local crew members how to prep hair, use hot tools, and properly install wigs. "It's teaching people, 'Okay, how are they gonna pin a wig onto this actor's head while I can't physically be there because I'm across the stage doing something else?'" Despite the exhaustion and the unpredictability of working with new locals and limited tools in every city, she loves the challenge of adapting on the fly to ensure a flawless production hits the stage every night.

Touring with a major production is a significant accomplishment and speaks to Emily’s expertise, creativity, and ability to thrive behind the scenes of large-scale theatrical work. Her success highlights the many pathways available to Academy students who pursue their passions with curiosity and commitment. 

Following her graduation from Albany Academy for Girls in 2020, Emily went on to Marymount Manhattan College, where she received her BFA in Musical Theatre. Originally from East Chatham and now based in New York City, Emily has been immersed in theatre from an early age. She recalls being called off the street to perform in a Christmas show at just six years old, an experience that sparked a lifelong love of the arts. Since then, she has continued to grow, train, and explore all facets of theatre, building the skills and confidence that have led to her current role on a national tour.

Reflecting on her time at Academy, Emily noted that Mr. Rich Johnson P'35, '40 helped reinforce her decision to pursue theater, sharing:

“Mr. Johnson has always been great. Even after I graduated, we stayed in touch all through college. When I started at SNL as a wig builder, I called him. He always told me, ‘Your dreams are crazy, but you can do this,’ and he’s never stopped supporting me.”

Even while traveling the country, Emily hasn't forgotten her roots, she still considers surviving Bacon Bat days, ring dares, and sleeping in the Leonard House to be major badges of honor. Congratulations to Emily Allen on this remarkable opportunity! We look forward to following her journey on tour.