Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Tips For Getting Into Character When Doing Your Own Theater Makeup

By Marie Roberts


Amateurs actors quickly find out that there is more to a role on the stage than just learning lines and hitting marks. Learning to make themselves up, in order to get into character, is another important aspect of the process. Local theaters do not have the money or means to hire a professional make up artist. In order to help newcomers to the stage avoid common cosmetic pitfalls, when it comes to applying theater makeup, experts have some simple tips.

You might be great at making yourself up for work or a night out, but creating an effective appearance for the stage is something else entirely. The stage is not the place for cosmetic understatement. The lights will completely wash out subtlety. A good foundation is key, as is remembering to apply it to your neck as well as face. If you aren't sure about the right color, you can ask a store consultant at your department store's cosmetic counter.

In order to create a dramatic effect you will need a good set of eyelashes. Cheap eyelashes never fit correctly, and they itch. You don't want to be worrying about whether or not your eyelashes are falling off when you are in the middle of a dramatic moment. Brown, gold, and pink eye shadows are good, and liquid eyeliner works better than a pencil.

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 ever have the opportunity to show your character aging as a play progresses, you will have to create lines and wrinkles on your face and neck. You can do this using the liquid latex, or school glue. When it dries, you remove it and apply foundation. It's important to rub the foundation into the creases to highlight them.

You might never be famous, but you can have a lot of fun creating characters for the stage. It can be a wonderful creative outlet. Learning how to apply makeup effectively will add to your enjoyment of the process.




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