Vincentian make-up artist making strides on Broadway

Magic through make-up is what Vincentian Kirk Cambridge-Delpesche continues to do.

The Vincentian born make-up artist who signed with Summit Entertainment Group LLC., in 2021 is currently the make-up designer on the touring Broadway revival of ‘The Wiz’ with plans for Germany in January 2024, where he will do the make-up design for Disney on the play ‘Hercules’.

Cambridge-Delpesche’s work is expected to be featured in the first international production of ‘Hercules’ which will be staged at the Neue Flora in Hamburg, Germany on March 24, 2024 and will be directed by Casey Nicholaw.

It is the first Disney stage musical to be developed in Hamburg.

Cambridge-Delpesche told SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday that since he was last interviewed by SEARCHLIGHT in 2021, he has worked on numerous shows in and off of Broadway including ‘Birthday Candles’, ‘Skin of our Teeth’,’Merrily We Roll Along’, ‘Into the Woods’ and ‘Through My Window’ (Melissa Etheridge).

“It’s been a busy a two years.

“The Wiz which is huge… I am doing the Broadway version and I am touring with it. We are on a national tour, 10 cities, this week in Charlotte, North Carolina and all the shows are sold out.

“Nichelle Lewis is Dorothy and she is great,” Cambridge-Delpesche commented on Wednesday while noting that he is proud to be one of the only West Indian make-up designers on Broadway.

“I just feel like I belong here. I feel it’s time, because I paid my dues and worked hard,” the former Sion Hill and Paul’s Avenue resident said while adding that he is motivated by many things, among them the fact that people always remember his work and work ethic.

“It has been great. The Wiz has been great with Debra Cox. She is Guyanese and we bonded immediately when we realized we were West Indians,” Cambridge-Delpesche said, as he continues to make strides in the make-up and fashion industry in New York (NY).

About Germany in January, the make-up designer said he is looking forward to the experience and is ready to bring his expertise to ‘Hercules’ which involves him working with the show’s various designers to determine how he will tackle the challenge.

“I always aim for things to be historically correct and I do extensive research to be as realistic as possible. I speak to directors, hairstylists, wardrobe people.

“There are a lot of parameters, consultations with actors and other staff. As I said, I like to be on point about what I am doing,” Cambridge-Delpesche explained while noting that his best experience within the last two years came while working on ‘Into the Woods’ as he made life-long friends and worked with exceptional talents.

He said also he is grateful to Summit Entertainment Group for signing him. The company represents over 90 set, costume, lighting, sound/composition, projection/video, hair/wig, and make-up designers and works on more than 500 Broadway productions a year. They have been around for over 30 years.

He said that Summit is one of the biggest and most renowned entertainment groups in the US.

Born in Layou, Cambridge-Delpesche has worked with many famous persons including on the play ‘Skeleton Crew’ with Phylicia Rashad, known for her role as Clair Huxtable on the NBC sitcom ‘The Cosby Show’ and most recently the villain in Netflix’s ‘Fall from Grace’.

He has also been the face of cosmetic brand Aprilskin, the first Vincentian to represent the brand and has held a number of jobs in the cosmetic industry in the United States for over 20 years, among with them, M.A.C Cosmetics (as a manager and make-up artist), Disney (where he did tours in the US, Asia, Europe and Africa), FELA!, on Broadway (worked with wig mistress Cookie Jordan), Harvard University (makeup designer in the theatrical department), the New York Philharmonic. High School Musical (Former Hair and Makeup Supervisor), Bard College (former makeup designer) and the Boston Opera.

His portfolio also includes work with BareMinerals, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, Boston Symphony Orchestra and New York Symphony Orchestra.

His work has also been displayed on international runways, and in shoots, magazines, music videos and on television, while his services have been used by private and celebrity clients and businesses.

Cambridge-Delpesche has worked locally with among others, SEARCHLIGHT’s Best of SVG make-up artist winner, Auldine Browne (back in December 2017, the duo presented a Make-up Master class tutorial session) and Jean Johnny-Findlay of Mije Personal Development and Advertising Agency.