We were lucky to catch up with Annie Hardt recently and have shared our conversation below.

Annie , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

This is something I’ve always known. I’ve been a theatre kid since my grandparents took me to see The Lion King Broadway tour when I was four years old and I was hooked. I just knew that was what I wanted to be when I grew up so I immediately asked my mom to sign me up for dance classes, choir, and acting camps. I stayed in that world all through childhood and into college, where I started as a musical theatre major.
That’s when I began to realize I loved theatre, but I didn’t actually love performing. I shifted my focus to costume design and construction but the real turning point came when one of my professors noticed I had a knack for wigs and took me under his wing and taught me about wig making, styling, cut and color, and even prosthetic makeup. I’m forever grateful for that nudge, it changed everything.
Switching to wigs is what truly launched my career. At the time, wigs were often the last thing people thought about in a production, so I ended up landing my first two professional jobs because they needed someone last minute and were willing to hire the girl fresh out of college. While timing and luck definitely played a big role early on, it’s been hard work and kindness that have helped me stay in the industry and keep growing. I worked my way up from wig crew to supervisor and designer, which eventually led to working for the two largest entertainment companies in Las Vegas, Cirque du Soleil and Spiegelworld.

Annie , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Annie Hardt and I’m the founder of The Caged Wig, a small wig business based in Las Vegas. My work centers around caged wigs which are wire structures sculpted into all kinds of shapes and then attached to a wig and styled. I also focus a large part of my business on wig education, teaching others how to build and style caged wigs through hands-on classes, both in my studio and around the world.
The Caged Wig officially launched in 2020 during the pandemic, but the idea had been building for years. I created my first caged wig for a theatre production that needed large, structured styles for the time period—but there was no information out there about how to make wig cages. I had to figure it out on my own through and from there, I continued incorporating cages into my designs and playing with different techniques and shapes at home.
When the pandemic hit, I lost my job as a wig technician for Cirque du Soleil’s The Beatles LOVE, and to keep my sanity, I continued practicing new techniques and started playing around with social media. This started to grow a community of creatives who were stuck and home and needed something fun and new to learn so I started offering online classes to teach people how to build caged wigs. Today, it’s a full-time business with a studio in Las Vegas where I teach classes year-round and host other incredible hair and wig educators from around the world. In addition to education, I also sculpt one-of-a-kind wigs for theatre, drag, burlesque, and special events across the globe.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

The biggest thing I think anyone can do today is keep showing up for your creative friends. I know many people may not be able to support their favorite artist financially, but something as simple as sharing their work on social media, leaving a comment, hyping them up in rooms they’re not in. Word of mouth is everything for small creative businesses, and just getting our names in front of the right people can make a huge difference.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part is getting to teach others something I’m so passionate about. Sharing what I’ve learned with others and seeing their excitement over what they were able to achieve in the class makes my heart so happy. Teaching has also brought so many amazing people into my life. I’ve met artists from all over the world, and I’ve had the chance to work alongside some of the most talented stylists in the industry. That sense of community and getting to support and share creativity is what keeps me inspired and reminds me why I do this in the first place.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thecagedwig.com
• Instagram: anniehardt.wigs

Image Credits

Blue Day for photography on wig photos