Saturday, April 21, 2018

How To Do Your Own Theater Makeup To Maximize Effect

By Marie Roberts


What local and regional theaters lack in money they make up for in creativity. The actors know that beyond learning lines, meeting marks, and striking the right tone, they will also be responsible to getting themselves ready for the stage. That means learning how to apply theater makeup in such a way that the character they are portraying is believable. Newcomers make common mistakes that pros can help them avoid.

The way you make yourself up for the street is not the way you make yourself up for the stage. When the lights hit you, normal cosmetic applications will just look washed out. You need to start with a solid foundation, applied to your neck as well as your face. Getting the color right is very important. There are store consultants who can assist you when you purchase your foundation.

You have to emphasize your eyes. To do that you will need several sets of quality false eyelashes. If you try to skimp and buy cheap ones, you will find that they make your eyes itch and have a tendency to come loose at the worst moments because they never fit the way they're supposed to. Use liquid eyeliner instead of pencil and pink, brown, and gold eye shadow instead of blue, green, and purple.

You have to learn how to highlight your face without overdoing it. It's hard to use too much blush though. It might make you look like a clown on the street, but not on the stage. Some inexperienced actors overlook their brows when they are making up their faces. You need to fill your brows in using a good pencil. This is especially important for blondes.

If you get a good role that calls for you to be shot or knifed, you will need to know how to create the effect of an open wound. A simple trick is to apply liquid latex around the wound. Once removed the puckered skin can be painted or smudged with red and black eye shadow to create the effect of blood.

You might have a role that requires you to be beaten up or involved in a minor accident. You can use the same eye shadow colors, with the addition of purple to create the appearance of bruises. If the bruising is part of the script, you may have to change the tones to green and yellow to simulate old bruises.

If you're lucky, at some point you will have to stretch you acting abilities to include an aging character. To get into the role you can use liquid latex, or school glue, to create wrinkles. When the latex dries, pull it off and smooth foundation over the creases. Be sure to get plenty of foundation in the creases as well.

You may never become a famous actress, but you can live out some of your fantasies on local stages. It's a great way to express your creative self. Skillfully applied makeup will add to the experience and help you get into character.




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