Behind the KUNG FU ZOMBIE Mask
by JAMIE KALAKARU-MAVA, zombie mask & wig designer
In prior editions of the Kung Fu Zombies saga, traditional (think: SPIRIT Halloween-style) zombie masks were used to enable quick changes. For Kung Fu Zombies vs Southeast Asian Girl Scouts, the crew at Theater Mu knew they needed something a little different. What happens when you combine a quick turnaround, a latex allergy, and an ensemble cast with quick costume changes? Specialized zombie masks! And with dress rehearsals starting in just over a week, they needed them fast. A tall order!
But what were they going to do? Playwright Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay had an idea: phone a friend! She knew I used to work as a maskmaker back in the day, and thought I might have some ideas. I did!
A former SoCal resident, director Fran de Leon called me (also a former SoCal nerd!) to discuss what she was looking for. I was excited to see how I could help. I think maskmaking, especially prosthetics and lifecasting, is becoming a lost art. I used to work as a prosthetics makeup artist in Southern California, making monsters and various otherworldly creatures at Knott’s Berry Farm—Knott’s Scary Farm’s—Halloween Haunt. I’m now a local artist and organizer based out of the Twin Cities. Though I’m no longer working full time as an FX artist, I’ve been delving back into masks as part of my personal artistry. The confluence of masks, culture, and neurodivergence is a thread that fascinates me and I’ve been incorporating this into my masks, writing, and painting.
Even just talking through the project with Fran gave me oodles of joy! And aptly timed for a period of uniquely stressful life situations, the project provided a well-needed creative distraction. It also seemed like the universe was aligning just for us. “This is uncannily good timing!” I said. “I just happened to pick up my vacu-former from the basement at the Southern Theater!”
“Your what?” she asked.
“Never mind! Let’s do it!” Battling a ticking time clock, the actors drove down to my house for some quick face casting, which gave me six bases to work with at night after my kids were asleep. (What better time to make zombies than from dusk till dawn?)
To combat the allergy equation and still achieve that goopy undead look, I turned to skin-safe silicones, fake-stone-bony skulls, and synthetic lymphatic blood. Because the zombie actors would need to go back and forth between human and undead, the masks were made affixed to a nylon netting so they could be easily put on and removed, but still move as naturally as possible. Well… as un-naturally as possible?
Fast forward to Thursday and the masks were ready! I drove to the Frey to check for fitting, actor comfort, and stage-light levels of undeadness. They would have to share the stage with Kris Muas’ life-sized zombie puppets while also mobile enough for some Kung Fu fighting.
How did they look?
You’ll have to stop by Kung Fu Zombies vs Southeast Asian Girl Scouts to find out—and it opens THIS WEEKEND!
DATES
Oct 31 - Nov 15, 2026 (previews Oct 29 & 30)
Oct 31: Halloween costume contest
Nov 1: post-show talkback with playwright & director
Nov 4: pre-show Trivia Mafia + post-show talkback ft. Kao Kalia Yang, Montha Chum, & Rep. Liz Lee
Nov 8: post-show salon with Southeast Asian Girl Scout Troop #54219
Nov 12: pre-show Trifia Mafia + designer/director fellowship showcase
Nov 14 matinee: James Ruth in the role of Gary
Large-print playbills, accessible seating, and sensory kits will be available at every performance. Open captions: evening shows Nov 7 & 14. Mask requirements: Nov 1 & matinee Nov 14. Audio description: Nov 8. ASL interpretation: Nov 15.
Recommended for ages 12+, includes depictions of blood, violence, gore, zombies, and adult language. The show also includes atmospheric haze and flashing lights.