Best of Masters: John Jack Curtin

Accomplished stylist and wig master John Jack Curtin earned his BA in performing arts with minors in costume design, construction, sculpting and painting. With a strong background in both fine arts and wardrobe, he landed one job after another with the national touring companies of plays like West Side Story, Anything Goes, It’s A Wonderful Life and many others.

Seven years later, burnt out and tired of living on the road, John decided to change careers. He became a hairdresser and eventually a Senior National Educator for John Paul Mitchell Systems.

A few years later he received a call back to the theater, where his combined hairdressing and wardrobe skills made him more in demand than ever. “The more marketable you make yourself, the more employable you will be,” he says.

John’s impressive resume includes Broadway productions of The Lion King, 42nd Street, The Producers, Beauty and the Beast, and Grease. His film credits include The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, Across the Universe, and Spinning Into Butter.

He has done numerous commercials and TV shows, including Law and Order, ET's Insider, ABC News Now, and CSI: NY. Interviewed by Winn Claybaugh, John shares great advice about launching a career in theater, film and production.

“I interviewed John after watching The Lion King on Broadway, where he was doing the wigs. I watched it one night from backstage and the dressing room, and the next night from the audience, so I had wonderful perspective of his brilliance. John’s message of self-discipline will blow your mind.” – Winn Claybaugh