Stage Makeup

Course Description

Students will learn the basics of facial structure and stage makeup application via hands-on experience. Students will learn the fundamentals of contouring, shadow, and highlighting. Students will work with a variety of techniques and products, including: creams, powders, waxes, and latex.

You will get messy applying makeup, sculpting with modeling clay, and life casting with alginate, plaster, silicone and liquid latex. Students with latex allergies, tactile sensory sensitivities, or extremely sensitive skin may wish to take a different class.

Students are expected to purchase their own makeup kits and tools for approximately $150.

Syllabus

2026 Syllabus WiP

Course Goals

By the end of the term, students will be able to:

Identify and describe the anatomy of the face and how it informs makeup design.
Explain color theory, pigment mixing, and how lighting affects makeup.
Create makeup designs appropriate to character, age, environment, and dramatic context.
Apply basic corrective, modeling, and foundation makeup techniques.
Construct and apply facial hair, wig, or prosthetic elements.
Produce nonrealistic, fantasy, or stylized makeup.
Demonstrate proper hygiene, safety, and product care in theatrical makeup.
Maintain a visual makeup journal / image portfolio.
Present a final project: makeup design and execution for a chosen character from a play.

Texts & Supplies

Stage Makeup (10th Edition) 10th Edition by Richard Corson (Author), James Glavan (Author), Beverly Gore Norcross (Author)
Required Supplies - Mehron SFX CreamBlend Makeup Kits ($104 each) plus a few other acessories amounting to about $130 per student

Standards

Visual Arts Standards

VA.Cr.1.2.IIa - Choose from a range of materials and methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices to plan works of art and design.

VA.Cr.1.2.IIIa - Choose from a range of materials and methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices, following or breaking established conventions, to plan the making of multiple works of art and design based on a theme, idea, or concept.

VA.Cr.3.1.IIa - Engage in constructive critique with peers, then reflect on, re-engage, revise, and refine works of art and design in response to personal artistic vision.

VA.Cr.3.1.IIIa - Reflect on, re-engage, revise, and refine works of art or design considering relevant traditional and contemporary criteria as well as personal artistic vision.

VA.Pr.4.1.IIa - Analyze, select, and critique personal artwork for a collection or portfolio presentation.

Portrait of a Graduate Standards

PG.RA.SD.2 - Monitor and direct my own learning

PG.RA.SD.4 - Have a growth mindset by reflecting on learning experiences and applying insights to the future

PG.RA.PRR.3 - Persevere to accomplish difficult tasks and to overcome academic challenges and personal barriers in order to meet goals

PG.RA.PRR.5 - Incorporate feedback effectively

PG.ER.C.3 - Exercise flexibility and compromise to accomplish common goals

PG.ER.C.4 - Leverage the group to create new ideas and increase innovation and quality of work

PG.ER.C.5 - Assume shared responsibility

PG.ER.EC.1 - Articulate thoughts and ideas effectively, using oral, written and non-verbal communication skills in a variety of forms and contexts

PG.ER.EC.2 - Engage in active listening and respectful discourse

PG.ER.EC.3 - Use multiple media and technologies for effective communication

PG.ER.EC.4 - Assess the effectiveness and impact of media and technology for communication

PG.G.ICT.1 - Ask questions

PG.G.ICT.2 - Collect, assess, and analyze evidence, arguments, claims and beliefs

PG.G.ICT.3 - Analyze, evaluate and synthesize information from multiple points of view

PG.G.ICT.4 - Reason effectively

PG.G.EPS.1 - Identify, define and solve authentic problems and essential questions

PG.G.EPS.2 - Research and innovate to lead to better solutions

PG.G.EPS.3 - Reflect critically on learning experiences, processes and solutions

PG.G.CI.1 - Use a wide range of idea creation techniques

PG.G.CI.2 - Elaborate, refine, analyze and evaluate their own ideas, in order to improve and maximize creative efforts

PG.G.CI.3 - Demonstrate originality and inventiveness in work

PG.G.CI.4 - View failure as an opportunity to learn