MAKEUP NOTES FOR SHOW CASTS:

It was noted many years ago that rampant colds and flu typically ripped through the cast of our productions during dress rehearsal/opening week especially when we were in the habit of using communal makeup supplies. While this is mainly the result of the increased stress and strain on the body caused by late hours and the rigors of performance, it is also sometimes spread and aggravated by sharing makeup supplies. Therefore, back in 1990 it was decided that, (except in cases requiring specialized makeup supplies) ALL CAST MEMBERS SHOULD PROVIDE THEMSELVES WITH THEIR OWN MAKEUP KITS, AND AVOID SHARING MAKEUP SUPPLIES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

However, since some cast members in large shows are not experienced with makeup, and many non-theatre majors may not want to purchase full theatrical makeup kits, I have devised a plan for a very basic kit, composed of ordinary "street" makeup, available at most local drugstores. While this IS NOT EQUIVALENT to a real theatrical makeup kit, it will suffice for any show requiring only minimal "corrective" makeup.

The list of supplies below is only a suggestion of the cheapest possible choices for makeup. Naturally, if you have any better makeup at your disposal already, you should use it. However, you absolutely should provide yourself with at least one each of the following categories of supplies:

• Base Color (covering makeup just slightly darker or pinker than your actual skin tone)

• Highlight (several shades lighter than the base tone)

• Shadow (several shades darker than the base tone)

• Powder (loose or pressed powder about the same color as base)

• Lipliner (reddish brown pencil)

• Eyeliner (brown pencil for light hair, black pencil for dark hair)

• Bar of soap and a washcloth

• Clean receptacle in which to keep supplies

• Makeup Sponge (provided by Tara)

Please note, because of lighting washing out the features, women who are used to wearing makeup should know that stage makeup is usually 1-2 shades darker than your usual street makeup. People who don't usually wear makeup should know that wearing no makeup on a large stage, under many sorts of stage light can make your face look much like the moon: pale, greenish, flat, shiny, and bloblike. Going without makeup is usually NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Where to get CHEAP MAKEUP KIT SUPPLIES in Fairbanks:

Item Numbers of suitable supplies in Wet 'N' Wild Makeup.

Total Cost $10-12 at Fred Meyer, or KMart.

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This Page is part of The Costumer's Manifesto by Tara Maginnis, Ph.D.  Copyright 1996-2008.   You may print out any of these pages for non-profit educational use such as school papers, teacher handouts, or wall displays.  You may link to any page in my site.