In designing makeup for a show, the first thing required is to find out what is wanted. In some theatre companies, the makeup designer reports directly to the director; in others, he is subordinate to the costume designer. Whichever the case, the makeup designer confers with the appropriate person to find out the overview of the desired makeup for the show. In many Gilbert & Sullivan productions, the makeup is fairly standardized, "plain vanilla," especially for the chorus. In others, there are departures from the norm, such as the stylized eye treatment in The Mikado or the ghosts in Ruddigore. (In Lyric Theatre's "Bollywood" version of The Sorcerer, for example, two dancers had to be painted gray to look like stone statues, a definite departure). The director, of course, has the final say on the makeup requirements.
The next step is the physical preparation of the makeup. The makeup designer makes sure the required makeup is on hand. For theatre companies that provide makeup to the actors, this means that the company kit, as well as the makeup artist's personal kit, are well provided. In some companies, the makeup designer is also the single handed makeup artist; in other companies, there is a makeup crew. The designer recruits the crew and makes sure they are all aware of the makeup requirements. Also included in this process is the cleaning of the makeup brushes, tidying of the company kit, and laying in supplies of sponges, tissues, and baby wipes for makeup removal.
Next, the makeup designer orients and informs the cast about what is required of them. Makeup design sketches are useful in this event, showing what colors of makeup go where (this is especially helpful to first-time actors). It also helps to provide information to the cast, in the case that the company does not provide makeup to the cast, about what sort of makeup they need to buy and where they can go to get it.
Finally, the show opens and the makeup is applied. The makeup designer needs to be on hand to supervise the makeup and make sure the design sketches are followed, to assist beginning actors who have little or no experience in applying makeup, and, if the designer is also the sole makeup artist, to do any needed character or specialty makeups. He also needs to be prepared to do damage control during each performance, in case some makeup runs, a painted-on tattoo is smeared, or a mustache comes loose.As always you can keep in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, and our Website. Be sure to pick up your tickets to see the show!
