Theater Workshop - Stage Make-up

Make-up is a very important part of a theatrical performance. Due to the bright lights an actor is under while performing, their facial features tend to be very washed out. So, the Spotlight’s attended a Theater Make-up Workshop put on by myself, Miranda Joebgen. I am a fellow Spotlight and have been in many theatrical performances with my local community theater (The Drama Group). I was honored to be asked by Mrs. Bielicki to share my knowledge of stage make-up with my fellow classmates.

The first thing I informed the students of was that stage make-up is much different than regular make up. It should be darker than normal so that when combined with the bright stage lights, the make-up will be just right.  Stage make-up is different for girls and guys (YES, the guys all have to wear make-up!). Here are the requirements for each:

Male Stage Make-Up:

Sponge Applicators

• Base
• Eye Liner
• Blush
• Lipstick
Base - You should begin by applying the base. Since guys aren’t used to wearing make-up, I recommend using the Neutrogena brand. This will help prevent acne resulting from the make-up. When shopping for base, you should look for a shade that is one darker than your facial skin tone (Note: your facial skin tone tends to be lighter than the rest of your body). You don’t want to use a shade that is too dark, otherwise you might look like an oompa loompa! When applying the base, use the applicator to apply an even coat all over your face and neck. Be sure to get under your eyes and all around your lips so you don’t get the “raccoon effect”. You should also apply base to your neck. It doesn’t have to be applied all the way down your neck, but it should fade out rather than abruptly stop.

Eyeliner - Eyeliner can be tricky to apply, since you have to get very close to your eye in order to do so. You don’t need to apply it to your upper eyelid – just the lower one. When shopping for an eyeliner pencil, try and look for a soft one rather than a hard one. This will make it easier to apply. You should use either black or brown eyeliner, depending on your skin tone.

Blush - Blush is necessary, but it doesn’t need to be applied heavily. It doesn’t need to be very pink or red either. Just look for a shade that is a little pinker than your natural tone. It doesn’t need to be applied heavily, just a small amount.

Lipstick - Yes, you do need to wear lipstick. Again, not very pink or red, just a little darker than your natural lip tone.

Female Stage Make-Up:

• Base
• Eyeliner
• Eye Shadow
• Mascara
• Blush
• Lip Stick
Base - You should begin by applying the base. If you don’t normally use make up, I recommend using the Neutrogena brand. This will help prevent acne resulting from the make-up. If you do use make-up regularly, stick with the brand you normally use. When shopping for stage make-up base, you should look for a shade that is one darker than your facial skin tone (Note: your facial skin tone tends to be lighter than the rest of your body). You don’t want to use a shade that is too dark, otherwise you might look like an oompa loompa! When applying the base, use the applicator to apply an even coat all over your face and neck. Be sure to get under your eyes and all around your lips so you don’t get the “raccoon effect”. You should also apply base to your neck. It doesn’t have to be applied all the way down your neck, but it should fade out rather than abruptly stop.

Eyeliner - Eyeliner can be tricky to apply, since you have to get very close to your eye in order to do so. You don’t need to apply it to your upper eyelid – just the lower one. When shopping for an eyeliner pencil, try and look for a soft one rather than a hard one. This will make it easier to apply. You should use either black or brown eyeliner, depending on your skin tone.

Eye Shadow - You should use eye shadow, but not colored eye shadow. Just use natural shades (browns and tans). Make sure it is a "mat" shade of eye shadow (sparkly eye shadow does not appear natural) This will give the natural look that is required for this semester's Pied Piper of Hamelin. You should apply the eye shadow just on your eyelid and a little above it. Don’t go to far past the eyelid though.



Mascara - You need to use mascara, but not a lot. Just enough to darken the eye lashes. Just apply it on the top eyelashes.  It can be purchased in brown shades for a more natural look.

Blush - For blush, you should get a pink that isn’t very bright but will be enough to add color to your checks. You don’t need to apply it very heavily, but it should be visible.

Lipstick - For lipstick, simply look for a shade of pink that isn’t too outrageous. Just pink enough to add color to your lips. Don’t use any shade of red or lip-gloss. Red is not the right shade for the Pied Piper and lip-gloss is not the best to use when on stage.

Visit Stage Makeup Application & Techniques for a sample of videos demonstrating different techniques of applying stage make up.

If you have any questions about basic stage make-up, whether its how to apply it or what to buy, feel free to ask me at class or shoot me an e-mail at mjoebgen@yahoo.com.

Posted by Miranda Joebgen