1. Freshman Fine Arts Rotation Tech. Theatre Production Mrs. Moylan
Stage Make-Up
Freshman Fine Arts Rotation
Tech. Theatre Production
Mrs. Moylan
Sources: Vale, Paul. Apply Make-Up: A Performer’s Guide.
Victoria and Albert Museum.

2. Why Make-Up?
Most of the time, stage actors will apply make-up to enhance their looks as opposed to changing them
Due to lighting differences on the stage, an actor must highlight her facial features to appear ‘normal’ as the lighting eliminates shadows making faces appear flat
Both male and female actors need to wear make-up on stage

3. ‘Normal’ Make-Up Preparation
Avoid using moisturizers directly before applying make-up
They relax the skin
Instead use a light astringent
Men should shave as early as possible as make-up can irritate freshly shaved skin
Applicators: it is important to use disposable sponges and applicators to avoid spreading skin or eye diseases between actors

4. ‘Normal’ Make-Up Application – Skin Tone
Foundations are used to smooth out irregularities in the skin
Color: for the stage, use a foundation that is either the same tone as the actor’s skin color, or a shade darker
How to: Apply a little product to a sponge and begin to blend it in around the face, into the eye sockets, around the nose, mouth, forehead and temples in smooth strokes until an even skin tone is achieved. Remember the ears need cover too and blend carefully into the neck line - you are not creating a mask!

5. ‘Normal’ Make-Up Application – Eyes
Eyebrows: need to be clearly visible. Using a liner pencil carefully stroke a little color onto the hair (a black or brown pencil should suit).
Eyelashes:
Use a touch of mascara and/or eyeliner to make the eyes appear larger
Use false eyelashes to supplement your own
Eye shadow: generally, only matte and not shiny eye shadows should be used. Two colors can be used for the eyes:
a highlight to lift shadows on the eye and accentuate the brow bone
a shadow, several shades below the actor’s foundation color to accentuate the socket line.

6. Highlighted brow bone
Darkened eyebrows
Darkened socket line
Darkened eyelashes
Enlarged eyes

7. ‘Normal’ Make-Up Application – Cheeks and Lips
Cheeks: a rouge to re-color the apple of the cheeks and add touches of warmth to the foundation should be used.
Lips: Lip colors can make or break the whole look so choose them very carefully - especially men.
Apply with a brush to aid precision
Use a liner pencil in a matching shade to create a curve to the lib
Use matte colors
Apply, blot with a tissue, powder using a translucent powder and then repeat the procedure.
A touch of clear lip gloss can be added if necessary.

9. Why Make-Up?
Some roles require a stage actor to look different than herself:
Character roles – gender reversal, ageing, wounds
Glamour roles
Musical theatre
Pantomime – dames
Opera
Ballet
Fantasy

10. Creating an Older Character Source: Victoria and Albert Museum

11. Step 1: Shade under cheek bones, on temples and down the nose using a grey-brown greasepaint applied with a large brush or latex sponge. For very dark skins, the grey-brown can be substituted for black.

12. Step 2: With a latex sponge or brush pale down the rest of the face using pale pink greasepaint, just skimming over the surface - the pink should be used sparingly on all skin tones. Blend the grey brown and the pink together to soften edges of the base with a clean sponge.

13. Step 3: Draw in the wrinkle lines as shown in grey brown, using a fine brush.

14. Step 4: Mix some white greasepaint and some pink together and highlight around the dark lines as shown. Blend carefully, avoiding the dark wrinkle lines.

15. Step 5: Add some purple -red (carmine) around the eyes
Step 5: Add some purple -red (carmine) around the eyes. Break up the lip line by drawing faint lines vertically around the mouth. Use a stipple sponge to add broken veins still in carmine on cheeks. Add some white hairs by using your finger to brush white greasepaint very lightly over the eyebrow.

16. Step 6: Set everything with translucent powder either with a large powder brush or puff.

17. Step 7: Apply your chosen wig.

18. Step 8: Add an appropriate accessory for a professional touch.

22. Prosthetics

23. False Hair