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Volunteer Spotlight: Daniel Koye

Everything Daniel Koye touches may not turn to gold, but it certainly will emerge with a flair of bling.

A prolific Broadway hair and wig man, Daniel became so well-known backstage for blinging out his styling tools that he turned his personal trademark into Dkoye, a line of hair products each with its own unique bling. Daniel donates a portion of the proceeds from Dkoye sales to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

But Daniel's giving back goes far deeper than hairspray and gel.

"I remembering hearing about Broadway Cares when I was just a little drag queen growing up across the river in New Brunswick Township, NJ," Daniel says. "When I made it to Manhattan, I knew it was a cause that I wanted to become deeply involved in and support any way that I could."

Daniel first volunteered for Broadway Cares while he was doing hair in the acclaimed 2008 Patti LuPone revival of Gypsy. His first BC/EFA event was that summer's Broadway Bares 18: Wonderland.

Now, there are few Broadway Cares productions that Daniel doesn't have his hands in. He's become one of the hardest-working volunteers by coloring, wigging and styling nearly every Bares, Gypsy of the Year, Easter Bonnet Competition, Broadway Backwards and ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares since.

“We are very lucky to have Danny," says Broadway Cares producing director Michael Graziano. "He is incredibly generous with his time. He is always up to volunteer and you can tell how much he enjoys giving back because he shows up with a smile and a positive attitude every time."

Daniel's volunteering comes while keeping a busy daily schedule. After only a few years working on Broadway, his already impressive list of credits includes Spring Awakening, Chicago, Jersey Boys, Curtains, Hair, Rock of Ages and Mary Poppins.

Like so many other members of I.A.T.S.E. Local 798 and the other theatrical unions, Daniel graciously agrees to stay late during spring and fall fundraising periods to allow for Broadway performers to make their audience appeals and collect for Broadway Cares.

Daniel's work as hair coordinator for Broadway Bares always begins months before the June event. He dives into prepping wigs and planning hairstyles, works on the promotional photo shoot, then schedules and manages as many as 30 hair and wig volunteers for the two shows, while helping with load-in and load-out. For Broadway Bares XXI: Masterpiece, Daniel's efforts included a historic George Washington wig replica and the gorgeously dramatic look for Tony Award-winner Beth Leavel in the evening's opening number.

This year's Bares photo shoot added an additional challenge. Because the Masterpiece theme was inspired by famous works of art, Daniel had to create a variety of looks from an ancient statue to pop art. One particularly daunting task required Daniel to design a wig in three-dimensional hair that would honor an artist's famed two-dimensional style. .

"I love what I do and it brings great rewards," Daniel says. "There's nothing like knowing that my volunteer work ultimately helps make a difference in the lives of so many men, women and children. Then, when you get a moment like I did at last year's Gypsy of the Year to help the legendary Carol Channing, that's just icing on the cake."

Daniel's Dkoye line, which debuted earlier this year and is available for sale at dkoye.com, includes hairspray, mousse, gel, wax, cream, mudd and paste. Dkoye was the official hair product of Broadway Bares XXI:Masterpiece.

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