Grayslake makeup artist creates creatures on Syfy

Stevie Calabrese stood nervously in the back of Kristoff's Entertainment Center in Round Lake Beach as roughly 50 people cheered when her face appeared for the first time on the big-screen television.

It was clear Calabrese, a 26-year-old former secretary from Grayslake, was having trouble getting used to seeing herself on TV.

"I was nervous," she admitted. "I think I'll be more used to it from now on."

Calabrese is getting national exposure for being the latest makeup artist from the Chicago area to appear on the hit cable reality show "Face Off."

Calabrese, who works part time as a haunted house makeup artist at the Realm of Terror at Kristoff's, is one of 16 contestants on the show hosted by actress McKenzie Westmore.

Face Off features special-effects makeup artists who compete against each other to create creatures found in science fiction and horror films. In Season 9's first episode, July 28, Calabrese and another contestant were tasked with blending two models into one creature that could appear in an intergalactic zoo. In this week's segment, contestants will create a unique Siren creature from Greek mythology using marine animals as inspiration.

"It was the first episode, and I knew I'd be in the bottom this week," she said. "I didn't know how people would react. But, there was a good outcome, so I think I'll be better from now on."

Past winners have received cash, cars and makeup, in addition to being known as one of the best special-effects makeup artists in the country.

Calabrese said she started doing special-effects makeup a couple of years after working as a part-time actor at now-closed haunted houses in Fox Lake and Villa Park. She joined the crew at Realm of Terror in 2013.

"I started working at haunted houses about five years ago and I really enjoyed the makeup departments," she said. "So, after a couple of years acting, I joined the Realm of Terror because they were willing to hire me as a makeup artist."

Realm of Terror owner Steve Kristoff said Calabrese didn't get a chance to do makeup applications at previous haunted houses due to a lack of experience.

"We gave her the opportunity because she seemed like she really wanted to do it," Kristoff said. "I'm glad I did because she quickly became an incredible artist."

After her first year in Round Lake Beach, Calabrese enrolled at Kosart Atelier School for Entertainment Arts in Westmont to learn more about special-effects makeup artistry. School founder J. Anthony Kosar was the winner of "Face Off" Season 4, and Season 7 winner Dina Cimarusti of Lake Zurich was a former student there.

Kosar said Calabrese quickly worked her way up from student to teacher assistant to a part-time instructor. Since then, she has worked on various projects with him and the school, including TV commercials, webisodes and several projects with horror photographer Joshua Hoffine.

"I think she has great chances of winning," Kosar said. "The quality that made her a stand out in my classes is her ability to learn quickly, adapt to whatever situation or technique or process, her ability to problem solve, and her ability work well with others, whether in a team or teaching."

He added, "Regardless of winning or not, I know she will go far and am excited and proud for her whatever the outcome."

Calabrese said she went through multiple auditions to make it on the show, including Skype interviews and makeup demonstrations with producers.

"The casting process was pretty long," she said. "Every time I went through a level of casting, I figured there was no way I was going to make it to the next part."

After the show's casting director told her she was selected as a contestant, her life changed suddenly. She had to quit the secretary job she held for five years and fly to Los Angeles for taping within two weeks.

"When we walked into the lab and saw the big 'Face Off' sign in the back, that's when it really hit me," Calabrese said. "That's when I knew it was actually happening."

All episodes have been filmed, and Calabrese had to sign a gag order with the production company that prohibits her from talking about the results of the show.

"It was bizarre watching myself on TV," she said. "I mean, I know what happens. I lived the episode ... I'm happy they showed what a struggle it was for everyone. It was a very difficult challenge."

Olaf Cook, a friend who attended Calabrese's "Face Off" watch party, said he hopes her appearance on the show will lead to bigger and better things.

"I'm very excited for her," Cook said. "I've seen her grow from an actor to a great makeup artist. I wish nothing but the best for her."

Even though only one "Face Off" episode has aired, changes have started for Calabrese. She has accepted a full-time position as an instructor at the Kosart Atelier School. And her Twitter account, @asseenonstevie, has blown up with fans.

Kosar said those changes will continue because of the exposure.

"Stevie is now a reality television celebrity and will often get recognized wherever she goes by fans," he said. "It is a lot of fun meeting fans in unexpected places, getting asked for selfies and autographs. She is in for a fun and rewarding ride."

She also said she will return to the Realm of Terror haunted house in the fall.

"This show has pushed me to what I thought I could be, and beyond," she said. "I could not appreciate the experience enough. It's really a once in a lifetime experience."

"Face Off" airs at 8 p.m. on the Syfy channel.