Glenese Hand - Columbia College Chicago

Glenese Hand

Adjunct Professor of Instruction

ghand@colum.edu

Biography

Glenese Hand is a freelance designer, sculptor, & traditional/digital 3D artist specializing in the Creature & Character Arts with specialties in Prosthetics/Special Effects, Creature/Body Replica/Mask fabrication, & Makeup/Wigs. She is an alum of Columbia College having received her B.A. in Theatre with an Acting concentration plus additional focuses in Theatrical Combat, Makeup, & Science (2002; honors). Since then her creative works as an artist, designer, performer, stunt person, & violence/movement choreographer have crossed a variety of media types.

Community, outreach, & keeping arts actively attainable regardless of age, ability, &/or budget is the driving force behind her varied artistic endeavors. From 2013 – 2015 Glenese spearheaded all eight productions as Owner/Producer/Artistic Manager of Bare Knuckle Productions (BNP) -- a production company which intertwined the aesthetics & artistry of practical FX & Makeup with Stunts/Theatrical Combat into intimate & immersive performances. Other work highlights include: photographer & graphic/promotional design; full term three years as Dept. Head of Makeup & Wigs for Navy Fear at Navy Pier (JPM Productions); five years as contrapment/puppet/prop designer & technician, choreographer, & performer with Redmoon Theater; Wild West Theme Park Stunt Performer (China); numerous productions designing for “Beauty & the Beast”; Creature/Mask/Armor Designer & title performer for “Predator: the Musical”;  plus numerous body parts & blood work hitting the walls at various locations!

As the Makeup & Prosthetics/FX Program Coordinator here at Columbia (2013 – 2018), Glenese instructed & mentored a variety of aspiring artists collegewide involved with numerous projects across the Theatre, Film, Television, & Fashion Departments (undergraduate/graduate) as well being the Advisor for the MUFX Student Organization. Both prior to that (since 2010) & again, after serving as Program Coordinator, she’s been an Adjunct Instructor of Makeup, Prosthetics/FX, & Theatre Foundations courses at both the undergraduate level & for the High School Institute. In between teaching classes at the collegiate level, Glenese was a Lead Instructor & Presenter for Esteem Development through Greater Expectations teaching various design, technical, & theatrical combat courses while also serving as Production Stage Manager for a vast majority of their company productions until 2014. She has twice received the Commitment to Excellence Award from United Parents Support for Down Syndrome for her work as Production Stage Manager & Designer. Elsewhere, she has been an Associate Instructor with Dueling Arts Intl. teaching theatrical combat courses & has been a coordinator/instructor for various art, athletic, & fitness classes or events.

Degrees

B.A., Theatre Columbia College Chicago 2002