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    Theatrefolk - Stage Make-Up in The Classroom Toolkit

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    Stage Make-up in your classroom, theatre education

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    Theatrefolk - Stage Make-Up in The Classroom Toolkit

    Uploaded by

    rosie
    13 views10 pages
    Stage Make-up in your classroom, theatre education

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    theatrefolk - stage make-up in the classroom toolkit

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    Stage Make-up in your classroom, theatre education

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    13 views10 pages

    Theatrefolk - Stage Make-Up in The Classroom Toolkit

    Uploaded by

    rosie
    Stage Make-up in your classroom, theatre education

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 10

    TOOLKIT

    Stage Makeup
    in the Classroom

    Toolkit
    Stage Makeup
    in the Classroom

    Toolkit
    Whether a supplemental element of the technical theatre
    curriculum or a fundamental ingredient of a fully-staged
    production, stage makeup is a terrific addition to the drama
    classroom. Here are some of our best tips and tricks for
    including stage makeup in your program.

    Stage Makeup in the Classroom Toolkit i http://tfolk.me/stagemakeup


    STAGE MAKEUP RESOURCES
    When looking for stage makeup resources, there are three major categories: materials, information,
    and personnel. Here are some ideas for each:

    Materials
    When looking for sources of stage makeup, start with the following:
    • Stage makeup manufacturers
    ○ Ben Nye
    ○ Kryolan
    ○ Mehron

    • Online retailers
    ○ Stage Makeup Online
    ○ Amazon

    • Local/regional makeup supply outlets


    ○ Theatrical costume suppliers
    ○ Spirit costume pop-ups

    Information
    There are a variety of books and online resources dedicated to stage makeup. Here is a sampling:
    • Books
    ○ Stage Makeup Step-By-Step by Rosemarie Swinfield
    ○ Stage Makeup: The Actor’s Complete Guide to Today’s Techniques and Materials by
    Laura Thudium
    ○ Stage Makeup by Richard Corson

    • Online search terms


    ○ How to stage makeup
    ○ How to apply stage makeup
    ○ Building makeup kit
    ○ Stage makeup kit
    ○ Theatre makeup kit

    Stage Makeup in the Classroom Toolkit 1 http://tfolk.me/stagemakeup


    Personnel
    Look for people who can help you find and properly use stage makeup. There are likely people
    nearby who would be happy to provide assistance:
    • Local college/university personnel
    ○ Costume/makeup/design faculty
    ○ Experienced theatre students

    • Community theatre personnel


    ○ Local costume designers
    ○ Experienced actors

    2 Theatrefolk
    BASIC STAGE MAKEUP
    Like every other area of design, there are some basic rules you need to follow to successfully apply
    stage makeup. No matter what style of performance you are bringing to the stage, following these
    rules will ensure a successful makeup design:
    • Wash your face
    ○ A clean face provides the best canvas for a makeup design — and makeup lasts longer
    on a clean face!

    • Don’t share makeup


    ○ Makeup should not be shared for hygienic reasons. If it is not possible for each student
    to have their own makeup, distribute a small amount of makeup to each student as
    needed from a community supply.

    • Use base makeup


    ○ Using base makeup evens out skin tone and creates a uniform surface for whatever
    comes next.

    • Match your base makeup color to your skin color


    ○ Base color that is a little off in the dressing room will be a LOT off under stage lights.
    Make sure you are using the correct base by checking it against the color of the skin on
    the back of your hand.

    • Blend your base makeup into your neck


    ○ If you stop your base makeup at your jawline, it will look like you are wearing a mask
    on stage.

    • Add highlights and shadows as needed to accentuate features


    ○ If your face is washed out under stage lights, use highlights and shadows to build back
    features such as your jawline and cheekbones.

    • Return color to your forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin


    ○ Lightly brush rouge onto these areas to avoid looking sickly or ill, but don’t overdo it or
    you will look sunburnt!

    • Go easy on the eyeliner


    ○ Adding a little eyeliner will make your eyes more noticeable. Adding a LOT of eyeliner
    becomes a character choice.

    • Don’t forget your lips


    ○ Base makeup washes out lips, so be sure to add back a neutral or natural lip color.

    Stage Makeup in the Classroom Toolkit 3 http://tfolk.me/stagemakeup


    • Powder, powder, powder!
    ○ Putting powder over your makeup is like putting glass over a picture: It protects it
    and helps it last longer. Powdering your makeup will protect it from sweat and from
    accidentally being rubbed off.

    4 Theatrefolk
    OLD AGE MAKEUP
    The most common special effect makeup in a school setting is old age makeup. Whether your goal is
    adding a little maturity or going full-blown octogenarian, there are some basic things you should know
    when attempting an age-based makeup design. Here are some tips to get the sands of time flowing:
    • Know your performance space
    ○ The distance to your audience dictates the intensity of your design. Small, intimate
    space = clean, subtle design. Large, cavernous space = heavy, extreme design.

    • Use base makeup


    ○ Old age makeup requires a lot of contrast and blending. Having a good, uniform layer of
    base makeup makes it easier to apply those features successfully.

    • Use good makeup brushes


    ○ Clean, sharp brushes make for clean, sharp lines.

    • Understand the shapes and structure of the face


    ○ Aging is the effects of time and gravity on the structures of the face. Knowing what and
    where those structures are makes it possible to effectively alter them with stage makeup.
    ○ Look for the cone, the cube, the sphere, and the cylinder in the face. Where does the
    light hit them? Where are there shadows? This will help you determine where to apply
    highlight and shadow when doing stage makeup.

    • Know where the wrinkles live


    ○ When applying wrinkles, place them where they will naturally appear on an actor’s face.
    Have actors scowl and raise their eyebrows to show where the wrinkles will eventually
    come to rest, then use makeup to highlight the selected features.

    • Use highlights and shadows in appropriate amounts


    ○ Apply the proper amount of makeup based on proximity to the audience. Use enough
    makeup to allow the design to pop, but not so much that it becomes muddy.

    • Blending, blending, blending!


    ○ Nothing helps an old age makeup design more than blending. Proper blending of contours,
    wrinkles, lines, and shadows is what makes an old age makeup design believable.

    • Apply rouge color


    ○ Once the underlying structures are properly highlighted and shadowed, be sure to add
    some powder rouge to the forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin.

    Stage Makeup in the Classroom Toolkit 5 http://tfolk.me/stagemakeup


    • Stipple and powder
    ○ Use a stipple sponge to apply tiny imperfections in a variety of colors. This helps blend
    the overall piece into a cohesive design. Then powder to seal the makeup.

    • Add hair whitener if appropriate


    ○ The finishing touch is to add a small amount of hair silver or hair white to the hair. If your
    character is younger, just stick to the temples (and potentially the eyebrows). If your
    character is quite old, go with a wig!

    6 Theatrefolk
    CLEANUP TIPS AND BEST PRACTICES
    Big makeup can lead to big messes, and those messes include actors, equipment, and spaces. To
    avoid making extra work for yourself and cleanup drama with your students, it’s a good idea to have
    some rules and strategies in place when it is time to put things back in order. Here are some tips for
    making cleanup time efficient and hassle-free:

    Students
    • Wet wipes/makeup removal cloths
    ○ The easiest way to quickly and efficiently remove makeup is with commercial makeup
    removal cloths. However, this can become quite expensive as each actor/student may
    use multiple wipes to get all their makeup off. Ultimately, soap and water will get the job
    done, so don’t hesitate to send students to wash their face in a nearby sink.

    • Space responsibilities
    ○ Students are responsible for their own workspace. Any messes or materials at their
    workspace are their responsibility.

    • Costume responsibilities
    ○ It is likely that makeup will get on costumes, especially with heavy makeup jobs. It is the
    responsibility of the actor to identify when a costume piece is in need of cleaning.

    Equipment
    • Cleaning table spaces
    ○ Large makeup projects will inevitably lead to makeup being spilled on tables. This
    makeup can then get on clothes, backpacks, and other items, so it’s important to wipe
    down work tables at the end of each performance or class period.

    • Cleaning brushes
    ○ Brushes will quickly become clogged with residual makeup. It’s important to keep your
    brushes clean for both artistic and sanitary reasons, so periodically clean your brushes
    with mild soap and water. DO NOT USE BLEACH OR OTHER HARSH CHEMICALS.

    • Properly sealing and storing makeup


    ○ Makeup can dry out if not properly stored. Make sure lids are on tight before makeup is
    put away in a cool, dry place.

    Stage Makeup in the Classroom Toolkit 7 http://tfolk.me/stagemakeup


    Spaces
    • Return any stray makeup to the dressing room or classroom
    ○ If makeup is used backstage or outside of the classroom, make sure it is accounted for
    and returned to where it belongs.

    • Makeup/dressing room cleaning assignments


    ○ Give clear expectations for cleaning assignments before beginning any project.
    Students should know their responsibilities when it comes to cleaning the space when a
    performance or project is done.

    • Wipe down mirrors


    ○ If your classroom/dressing room space has mirrors, make it an assignment to wipe
    down the mirrors at the end of a major project. That will keep the space prepared for
    next time.

    8 Theatrefolk

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